McGroartys named Mardi Gras Grand Marshals
James and Stella McGroarty wave at the crowd during the 2021 Cowboy Mardi Gras parade. The duo will be the grand marshals for this year’s parade. BULLETIN PHOTO
The 11th Street Cowboy Bar, located at 307 11th Street in Bandera, will host the 2023 Cowboy Mardi Gras Feb. 9-11, and organizers recently announced former owners James and Stella McGroarty will be its grand marshals.
The annual event, which has been celebrated for more than 18 years, honors Mardi Gras and cowboys and features traditional Cajun bands, country music, a Cowboy Mardi Gras parade with floats, Cowboy Mardi Gras Costume Contest and a Gumbo Cook-off.
The three-day celebration brings over 15,000 people from all over the planet to the Cowboy Capital of the World.
This year’s 2023 Cowboy Mardi Gras celebration honors James and Stella McGroarty, the former owners of the 11th Cowboy Bar who are the 2023 Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade Grand Marshals.
The McGroartys sold the bar in July 2022 to Richard and Sasha Sutton, D. Foster, and Melinie Ivey.
“We are so honored to take on the tradition of the 18th Annual Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade,” said Richard Sutton. “Bandera is a remarkable town that knows how to throw one hell of a party and we’re looking to carry on that tradition.”
A Texas institution that attracts visitors from all over the world, the 11th Street Cowboy Bar is one of the largest music venues in the Texas Hill Country and the “Biggest Little Honky Tonk in Texas” with a 20,000 square foot bar and a 70- foot-long stage.
“James McGroarty has said that 11th Street Cowboy Bar is all about providing the best Country Western music experience in Texas and sharing drinks with good friends,” said D. Foster. “He wanted to make all things in Bandera bigger than life. This is why we bought the bar and we want to carry on James McGroarty’s legacy.”
2023 Cowboy Mardi Gras Schedule:
February 9
- 6 p.m. John Christopher Way Band
- 7:30 p.m. Cowboy K-9 Mardi Gras Costume Contest
- 9:30 p.m. Jason Allen
February 10
- 6 p.m. Ryan Foret
- 9:30 Bayou Rush
February 11
- 8 a.m. Gumbo Cook-Off
- 12 p.m. 11th Street Cowboy Bar Mardi Gras Parade
- 1 p.m. Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners
- 2:30 p.m. Cowboy Mardi Gras Costume Contest
- 5 p.m. Gumbo Cook-Off Awards
- 6 p.m. Wayne Toups
- 9 p.m. Kenny Orts
Weekend passes are $75 in advance or $85 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cowboymardigrasbandera.com.
Applications for Cowboy Mardi Gras parade floats are due on Friday February 3, 2023. For more information or questions, email rwsutton35@aol.com Applications for Gumbo Cook-off are due Monday, January 30, 2023. For more information or questions, email jannalindig@sbcglobal.net.