Cowboy Mardi Gras begins

Cowboy Mardi Gras has arrived and will take place Feb. 9-12 throughout the Cowboy Capital of the World 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 11th Street Cowboy Bar is the official home of the festivities, and their schedule is as follows:

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.

Cowboy Mardi Gras Bullriding will be held at Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena. Riders from Texas, New Mexico, Brazil, Oklahoma and Louisiana will be featured in the event. Gates open at 2 p.m.for a 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. event. Crawfish boils will be held at Red Horse Saloon, Bandera Brewery and Trail Boss Steak and Grill. Costumes and other items can be found at stores throughout town, including Bandera Spirits of Texas.