2nd Annual Carnegie Carnival Set for February 9th

One year ago, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center hosted its first Mardi Gras-style celebration filling the historic downtown area with parades and other family-friendly activities. Promoting art and creativity and family fun, the second annual Carnegie Carnival returns to Decatur February 9, 2013.

The day-long event begins at 10 a.m. with a Red Beans and Rice Cook-off at Bank Street Green. The tasty event is open to professional and amateur Cookin' Crewes. There will be first, second, and third place winners and the team with the most “tips" in the Tip Jar will be presented the People’s Choice award. Public sample tasting begins at 2:30 p.m.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. a Kiwanis Club Creation Station art activity tent will be set up at Founders Park free hands-on art activities for children. On 2^nd Avenue, adjacent to the Alabama Center for the Arts, a children’s performance stage will provide family-friendly entertainment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spray paint artist Chandler Hays will be painting a mural at the corner of Lee and Bank Streets starting at 11 a.m.

The first parade, sponsored by Animal Friends Humane Society of Decatur, is the Carnival Canines on Parade. Four-legged friends will trot through Downtown Decatur starting at 11 a.m.

At 2 p.m., the Prince and Princess Parade for children takes to the streets of downtown Decatur led by 2013 Prince and Princess of Carnegie Carnival. This parade, for tots though teens, is sponsored by Parents and Children Together.

The grand finale is the Carnegie Carnival Parade at 6 p.m.  Crewes will proceed in a traditional Mardi Gras style, complete with themed floats, costumes, "throws", and music. The parade will be led by 2013 Carnegie Carnival King and Queen, Tony Shubert and Margaret Wensler. The evening will conclude with the crowning of the 2014 Carnegie Carnival King and Queen at the Carnegie Carnival Crewe Party at Ingalls Harbor.

All parade routes begin on 2^nd Avenue at Gordon Street, continues onto Lee Street/Bank Street, and ends at Founder’s Park near the Old State Bank. Registration forms and activity information are available at

www.carnegiecarnival.com. Proceeds will benefit the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and other non-profits organizations. For additional information call the Carnegie Visual Arts Center at 256-341-0562.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.