2015 Carnegie Carnival Preliminary Events

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center presents the schedule of events for 2015 Carnegie Carnival Season. Numerous preliminary events are happening in the weeks leading up to Carnegie Carnival on Saturday, February 14, 2015. Proceeds will benefit the Carnegie Visual Arts Center located at 207 Church Street in Decatur, and other area non-profit organizations. The day of Carnegie Carnival will be full of family friendly events and three parades. Carnival Canines on Parade will be at 11:00 AM and benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society. At 2:00 PM, the Prince and Princess Parade for children, tots to teens, is sponsored by the Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts. The Carnegie Carnival Parade at 6:00 PM and will feature 25 Crewes, many with elaborately themed floats, beads and other throws, and street bands. Detailed information, voting, and forms are available at the official website, www.carnegiecarnival.org, and the Carnegie Carnival Facebook Page. Corporate sponsors include 3M, Valley Budweiser, Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Decatur-Morgan County CVB, Kiwanis Club of Decatur, and Decatur Rotary Club Foundation.

Cajun Cook-Off

The expanded team cooking competition, Cajun Cook-Off, will take place on Bank Street at the corner of Cherry Street. Categories are Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, and Jambalaya. A 1st Place Cookin' Crewe winner in each category and a Cookin' Crewe Grand Champion overall will be awarded at the Cook-Off Awards Presentation at 3:00 PM. The public may taste free samples at 2:00 PM and vote for the Peoples Choice Award by tipping their favorite Cookin' Crewe. Registration form is available at www.carnegiecarnival.org. and the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. Teams may register through February 8, 2015.

2015 Original Artwork Raffle, Posters, and T-shirts

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center commissions an original artwork to serve as the official Carnegie Carnival artwork for the year. This year the artwork is by B. C. Keith and Mary H. Reed. Posters of the artwork, both unsigned or signed, are available for purchase at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and www.carnegiecarnival.org. Long Sleeve T-shirts are available in black or white this year by Pre-Sale Only. Orders for T-shirts are due by January 30, 2015. Shirts will be at the Carnegie for pick up on February 11, 2014. The Original Artwork has been framed and will be won by a raffle this year. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. Tickets also will be available until 5:00 PM at the information areas on the day of the parade. The winning ticket will be drawn and announced at 5:30 PM before the Carnegie Carnival Parade on February 14, 2015.

Vote for Royalty

Candidates compete to be crowned King, Queen, Prince, or Princess of Carnegie Carnival. King candidates are Ronnie Moore, Andy Thomas, and Phil Tuell. Queen Candidates are Kristin Propst, Kim Hallmark and Sheila Motley. Princess and Prince candidates are Victoria Sautter and Mallie Sedlak, and Braxton Higdon and Sean-Alex Smith. Throughout the Carnival Season, the candidates host fundraising events and raffles, most of which are open to the public, to raise awareness and revenue for the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. For information about candidates, public events, or to vote go to www.carnegiecarnival.org or call 256-341-0562.

Gospel Brunch

The Gospel Brunch will be February 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Magnolia Room. It will feature a New Orleans styled breakfast, catered by The Big Easy, and a cash bar. Musical entertainment will be provide by Southern Cross and the Orr Sisters. It is open to the public and tickets ($40 per person) are available at www.carnegiecarnival.org and at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center.

Zydeco Band at the Princess Theatre

The Swamp Poppas Zydeco Dance Band headlines a Mardi Gras party at the Princess Theatre performing Cajun, Blues, and Swamp Pop music. The band members, Tuck Kornegay, Wade Sexton, Jason Courson, Clay Alligood, and Michael Johnson, are from Birmingham, Alabama. The group has diverse instrumentation including 3-row accordion, Cajun accordion, fiddle, mandolin, bass, guitar, drums, lapsteel, harmonica. Expect lyrics in Cajun French and English. Admission is $5 at door and includes food by The Big Easy, and a cash bar.

Pre-Register for Parades

Carnival Canines on Parade will begin on 2nd Avenue at 11 AM on February 14th. Participants may pre-register ($10 for first dog, $5 for each additional walked by same person) at www.carnegiecarnival.org via Pay Pal, or may register the day of the parade at Casa Grande Park. Groups wishing to participate in the Prince and Princess Parade can pre-register for $25 for the group at www.carnegiecarnival.org or at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. Individuals may register the day of the parade at Founders Park for $5 per person.