March 9: TBIPAC Spring BBQ Throwdown and Trade Days, Paragon Casino Resort, 8a.m.-5p.m. IBCA BBQ Contest $150 entry fee. Booth for Trade Days $50 fee. Cost: Admission free. Call Amy Sampson: 240-6414.
March 9: Taking It 2 Street, DowntownAlexandria, 10a.m. Sponsored by Capitol One Bank, Sayes Office Supply and the Estate PlanningLawCenter. Free walking tour ofAlexandria’s cultural district guided by local media celebrities and features performances by local entertainers along the route. Tour begins at the Alexandria Museum of Art. Cost: Admission free. Call Rich Joyce: 445-1234 ext. 242.
March 5: Annual Jewish Temple Corned Beef Lunch Sale, JewishTemple,2021 Turner St., 11a.m.-1p.m. Corned beef lunch includes corned beef sandwich on rye, chips, cole slaw and a pickle. Pick up, eat in or delivery for 10 or more lunches. Tickets available from anyTemple member or by calling theTemple. Please purchase tickets in advance as we may sell out before the day of sale. Cost: $7. Call theTemple: 445-3655.
March 15: Tenth Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance, England Airpark Community Center, 7-11p.m. Sponsored by The Extra Mile. Casual dress, come and dance to the band Knight Train. Cost: $150 table of 10, $120 table of 8, $35 couple, $25 individual. Call The Extra Mile: 484-6575.
February 23: CHRISTUS Cabrini Winter Ball, Paragon Casino Resort, 7p.m. Sponsored by CHRISTUS Cabrini Foundation. 32nd Winter Ball to be held at theMariCenter in Marksville. Entertainment will be announced. Proceeds will enableCabriniHospital to provide an educational program on stroke prevention, stroke risk factor modifications, and stroke screenings for underserved families. Cost: $3,500 Gold Table of 10, $3,000 Silver Table of 10, $2,000 Patron Table of 10, $175 individual ticket. Call Teresa Slater: 448-6580.
February 10: Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade, Mid-town Texas Ave/Masonic Dr., 2p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association. Cost: Admission free. Call Chris Chelette: 443-1200 or 623-7359. www.alexmardigras.com
February 9: Children’s Mardi Gras Parade, Downtown Alexandria, 10:45a.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association. Entry fee is $100 per unit. To download form visit website. Cost: Admission free. Call Jenna Bonner: 443-1200 or 542-9084. www.alexmardigras.com
February 8: Classic Car – College Cheerleader Mardi Gras Parade, Downtown Alexandria, 4:45p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association and Hixson Autoplex. Cost: Admission free. Call Greg Gormanous: 792-2777. www.alexmardigras.com
January 31: LSUA Mardi Gras Parade, Campus of LSUA, 12p.m. Sponsored by Student Life. Cost: Admission free. Call Kyra Turner: 427-4403.
January 26: Calmex Plastic Model Contest and Show, Managan Center, 1000 McKinley St., Westlake, LA, 8a.m.-5p.m. Sponsored by Southwest Area Modelers of Plastic. Three divisions: adult, junior and pre-teen with over seventy categories. Free demonstration, vendors, raffle and food on site. Cost: Free for vendor showcase and general viewing; visit website for contest entry fees. Call Robert Leishman: 337-244-9938. www.ipmsswamp.com