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BANDS: Featured J.J. Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts from Louisiana 9-midnight
and Slippery Sneakers 6:30-9

PLACE: CYO Center, 53 Federal Street,Woonsocket, RI

EMCEE: WNRI's Jeff Gamache

King Jace contest sponsored by Dave Richards of WOON Radio

Clues to King Jace’s Identity 1. This southpaw's from the North, pa. 2. Doesn't fear cancer. He is one. 3. He is a 'king' of all media. 4. Has recently started going in circles. 5. Has attended many Mardi Gras in various capacities. 6. Tennesee'd and celebrated in a stadium. 7. Eats anything, loves dogs. 8. Works in Cumberland, Woonsocket, and North Smithfield. From none of them. 9. Once a mountie, made a presidential finish. 10. Has been a patriot, a magician, and a bridge falling down, but has never been to London to see that queen.

 

See what you missed last year! (Information on Mardi Gras 2008)

Ready for Mardi Gras (L-R): Committee Co-Chair Barbara Dixon, Irene Blais, Sue Bernier, Clara L'Heureux (Costumes courtesy of Harlequins Costumes, 97 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI)

MENU (Buffet served 6:30-8 pm)

Fine Catering by Russell Morin

Cajun Country Mixed Green Salad with Mustard French Dressing
Parisienne Bread
Andouille and Tasso Jambalaya (Louisiana ham and sausage served with rice)
Louisiana Meat Pie with Natural Gravy (traditional meat pie)
Chicken Big Mamou on Fettucini (sauce with peppers, onions, okra, chicken served on pasta)
Corn Macaque Choux (corn, onion, bell pepper, spices, tomato sauce)
Whipped Red Bliss Potatoes with Caramelized Onion and Garlic

New Orleans Bread Pudding with Lemon Sauce and Chantilly Cream
French Market Coffee

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Articles

January 28, 2009 • Woonsocket's Arts & Entertainment Scene Presents Exciting Culture and Top Name Acts! City’s annual Mardi Gras celebrations highlight active fun happening All Pawtucket All the Time
January 13, 2009 • Woonsocket’s Mardi Gras Celebration, The Providence Journal

J.J. Caillier leads a conga line (2009)

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Mardi Gras Children's Celebration

Saturday, February 7, 2009, 1:30 pm (Doors open at 1:15 pm)
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs School Hall, 1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI

Free Admission!

Popcorn and Soda
Costume Parade and Costume Contest
with prizes for Best Costume and Most Original Costume
(Girls and Boys ages 1 - 6 and 7 - 12 are eligible to win.)

The crowning of the King and Queen of Mardi Gras will be announced during the festivities!

For more information call: Jeannine at 401-769-0520 Ext. 1311 (printable flyer in .pdf format)

Sponsored by Catholic Family Life Insurance, Chapter Martel No. 2

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Our Sponsors

 

Gold Sponsors ($1000+)

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts


City of Woonsocket



Green Sponsor ($250+)

Soucy Insurance Agency

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Previous Kings & Queens

	1954 •	Pauline (Nadeau) Miller
	1955 •	Maureen (Mazzarella) Kennedy
	1956 •	Beverly (DiCesare) Russell
	1957 •	Pauline (Gagnon) Riendeau
	1958 •	Rita (Laliberte) Nadeau
	1959 •	Claire (Paul) Lafrance
	1988 •	Michelle (Lefort) Wheeler
Owen Bebeau	•1995 •	Gloria Jean Roy
Roger Nault	• 1996 •	Paula Rezendes
Al Auclair	• 1997 •	Roxanne Menard
Leo Fontaine	• 1998 •	Dianna Glassey
Roger Jalette	• 1999 •	Donna Gallant
Ken Bianchi	• 2000 •	Nancy (Melvin) Beauregard
Noel Pincince	• 2001 •	Suzanne Beaulieu
Dave Richards	• 2002 •	Lorraine Jacob
Roger Petit	• 2003 •	Stacey (McCutcheon) Fitzsimmons
Roger Bouchard	• 2004 •	Roberta Baillargeon
Tom Ward	• 2005 •	Joyce Laperle
Brian Blais	• 2006 •	Lorraine Guilbault
Marcel Desroches	• 2007 •	Nancy Phillips
Ray Gaboury	• 2008 •	Monique Noel

 

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2009
Mardi Gras
Committee

 

Connie Anderson
Sue Beaulieu
Sue Bernier
*Romeo Berthiaume
Irene Blais
Sharon Charette
Lorraine Cloutier
Jeannette Cousineau
*Barbara Dixon
Marlene Gagnon
Joan R. Gahan
Wil GodinMonique Jean
Jack Lawhead
Connie Lemonde
Clara L’Heureux
Bill Marrah
Ray Nolan
Bette Plante
Bette Jo Plante
Ray Rivet
Patrick Ryan
Brenda Viscione-Ryan

*Committee Co-Chairs

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A SHORT HISTORY OF MARDI GRAS

Many of the traditions of Mardi Gras have their roots in a Roman festival called the Saturnalia which celebrated the end of winter and the coming of spring. Over time, and with the spread of Christianity, the festival became a final binge of feasting and self-indulgence before the sacrifice of Lent. In 17th century Paris, the celebration came to be known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday – a way for Christians to fatten up before the long Lenten season.

French settlers brought their traditions to Louisiana in 1766. By 1857, New Orleans began to develop its own traditions of masked balls, organized parades, and “throws” (favors such as beads, doubloons, and cups thrown from parade floats). In 1872, the King of Mardi Gras selected the celebration’s official colors of purple, green, and gold. The colors’ meanings were defined as justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold) in 1892.

In 1954, the Mardi Gras tradition was started in Woonsocket by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The four days of festivities earned the celebration the title of “Mardi Gras of the North.” The Jaycees’ involvement in Mardi Gras gave our king his name – King Jace.

Since 1995, the NRICA and the Mardi Gras Committee, with the invaluable help of our sponsors, have worked hard to bring the authentic feel and the fun of a traditional Mardi Gras celebration to Woonsocket.