TYLER, Texas — *Editor's Note: The video above originally aired in 2019.
Mardi Gras is around the corner and several East Texas cities are beginning celerbations early.
Mardi Gras' origins can be traced back to medieval Europe, but it wasn't until 1875 that Fat Tuesday was made into a legal holiday in Louisiana. Now, the Mardi Gras celebrations have crossed over Louisiana borders into Texas with parades, balls, festivals and so much more.
CBS19 has compiled a list of Mardi Gras events across East Texas:
Henderson
- Main Street Mardi Gras: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Henderson Civic Center. There will be a gumbo cook-off, beer & win garden, cake walk, activities, costume contest, and live music by Swamplano Revival Zydeco Band.
Jefferson
- Queen Mab Ball 2024: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Jefferson Convention & Visitors Center
- Mardi Gras Upriver Roaring 20's
- 2/9: Doo Dah Pararde at dusk
- 2/10: Motorcycle Parade at 1:45 p.m. & Grand Parade at 2 p.m.
- 2/11: Children's Parade at 2 p.m.
Kilgore
- Mardi Gras at Britt's: Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Britt's Wine and Dine.
Longview
- Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Summit Club.
Tyler
- PATH's Mardi Gras Celebration: Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Stanley's Famous Pit Bar-B-Q
- Fat Tuesday at ETX Brewing Co. benefiting Smith County Habitat for Humanity: Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. at ETX Brewing Co.
- Masquerade Madness Weekend: Friday, Feb.9 to Sunday, Feb. 11 at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Tyler
Mardi Gras wouldn't be complete without a King Cake. Below is a list of local bakeries selling King Cakes:
- Great Harvest Bread Co. in Tyler
- Village Bakery in Tyler
