Get ready to dive into the watery wonders of "SoMa Under the Sea" as SoMardi Gras returns to Little Rock's SoMa District.
Presented by Subaru of Little Rock and Rock Town Distillery, the 14th SoMardi Gras celebration is scheduled for February 10, with a pre-party bash the night before, February 9. The bash will feature live music by Butterfly from New Orleans, dinner and drinks, setting the stage for the grand celebration the following day.
The rain-or-shine parade is free and open to all.
The parade will kick off at the corner of South Main and 24th streets, starting at 10:00 a.m., and proceed to 12th Street.
From there, the festivities will transition into a SoMa block party, keeping the good times rolling until 3 p.m.
Dance to live music by Rodney Block and enjoy beer by Stone's Throw and cocktails by Rock Town Distillery.
Have fun with live mermaids featured in Netflix's MerPeople, bounce houses, face painting and more in the Shrimp Kid Zone presented by Hodge Orthodontics and Community Bakery.
The 11th Little Rock Beard and Mustache Contest presented by Sport Clips follows the parade. This unique contest features categories for Best Natural Beard Over 6 Inches, Best Natural Beard Under 6 Inches, Best Mustache, Best Groomed Beard,
Most Original Beard, and Best DIY Crafted Beard.
After the parade, the $500 first-place and $250 second-place cash prize float winners will be announced along with the $250 prize for Best Performance and $250 prize for Best Marching Band.
Parade float and vendor registration are open through Monday, February 5.
The parade is SoMa 501's biggest fundraiser of the year and enables its mission to drive economic development, historic integrity, and quality of life for those living in and visiting the neighborhood.
Special thanks to Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Little Rock Partnership.
For more information, to purchase a pre-party ticket, or to register a krewe, a float, or as a volunteer or vendor, please visit https://www.somalittlerock.com/somardigras.