Downtown West Monroe kicks off the Mardi Gras season with various activities to encourage the public to safely celebrate the unusual 2021 Carnival season in lieu of canceled parades. Activities include a scavenger hunt with virtual QR code “doubloons” and a Mardi Gras photo op area in Alley Park.
Downtown West Monroe has once again been named as the Northeast Louisiana King Cake Headquarters, with six locations offering unique king cake creations. A wide variety of options will be available downtown, from savory to spirited to traditional.
The Downtown Mardi Gras Scavenger Hunt will begin Wednesday, January 6 and will run until Friday, February 12. Downtown West Monroe partnered with the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce to present the free activity. Virtual doubloons will be scattered throughout a dozen downtown shops and restaurants offering king cake creations or Mardi Gras merchandise. Participants can enter up to 12 times by visiting the locations and scanning each QR code. A winner will be drawn live on the Downtown West Monroe Facebook on February 12.
There will also be a festive photo backdrop in Alley Park for the community to take Mardi Gras photos. The display will be set up by Friday, January 8. Additional Mardi Gras activities and promotions will be announced throughout the season on the Downtown West Monroe Facebook Page.