Photo by Elliott Muñoz
Editors note: While the Advocate strives to remain unbiased in our coverage, the author of this article went to school in New Orleans and is deeply rooted in her belief that Mardi Gras is the best holiday ever.
The largest Mardi Gras celebration in North Texas will be back in our neighborhood this weekend, and it’s only getting larger.
For the first time this year, the Good Space Dash for the Beads is partnering with Go Oak Cliff’s Mardi Gras parade, and the events will happen back-to-back on Feb. 19.
Throughout the day, there will be events, food and fun that everyone can enjoy.
The Dash for the Beads 5k route.
Dash for the Beads is an annual 5k and 1-mile fun-run that raises money for organizations that promote physical fitness, healthy eating and arts programs in Oak Cliff.
Starting at 10 a.m. this Sunday, racers can pick up their registration at 715 W. Davis Street. According to the Dash website, 10 a.m. will also be the time bars start opening, if you want to celebrate as New Orleanians do.
The 1-mile fun-run will start at 11 a.m. and the 5k will begin at 11:30. It isn’t too late to register for the walk or 5k, which you can do here.
And you definitely won’t want to miss the inaugural Dash in Heels event which will be at 1 p.m. At Dash in Heels, racers will run for 50 yards on concrete in high heels that must be at least two inches tall.
Ouch.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, register at the link above.
And if running (heels or no heels) just isn’t your thing and you want to celebrate “on the route,” the Go Oak Cliff parade will roll around 2 p.m.
Go Oak Cliff Parade route.
The parade will run along Davis Street and feature bands, dance groups, music, costumes and floats, and paraders will toss beads into the crowd. (Just cheer and wave, please. This is a family-friendly parade.)
The parade has around 50 entries, and Go Oak Cliff estimates that 10,000 people attended last years parade.
And when we said the day has something for everyone, we meant everyone. For any Dash for the Beads participants who are dog parents, West Dallas mini-golf bar Another Round is sponsoring a dog parade to lead their float.
All Dash for the Beads participants are invited to bring their pooch to the parade lineup, where the Another Round float is sure to be surrounded by precious pups ready to let the good times roll.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without some good Cajun food.
Over at Restaurant Beatrice, a crawfish boil will be available on their patio from noon to 3 p.m. and then again after 5 p.m.
If you can’t make it before or after the parade, no worries. Restaurant Beatrice will start hosting crawfish boils throughout the spring as the weather gets better.
And Revelers Hall, our favorite neighborhood New Orleans dive, is hosting a block party starting at 11 a.m. and running until 8 p.m. Sunday.
The party will have brass bands playing live music both inside the hall and on an outdoor stage, a pop up market and even a second line march at 5 p.m.
