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Slather on body paint and articles of clothing that are fluorescent or phosphorescent under a black light, with its highly concentrated ultraviolet light, add energetic dance music and you have a wonderful combination for a party. Last Saturday evening, after the night Mardi Gras parade down Spring Street, revelers crowded into the newest club in Eureka Springs -- Event Eureka. Mardi Gras aficionados from the quad-state area had fun with glow sticks, black lights and other lighting effects that kept the energy up as they flashed and spun to the music. The Black Light Ball is a highlight of Mardi Gras. Here's what CCN photographer David Bell found at the 2017 Black Light Ball.

"Laissez les bon temps rouler!" translates to "Let the good times roll." And those attending the Night Parade of the 12th annual Eureka Gras Mardi Gras celebration were definitely having a good time. The floats were illuminated, as were many of the cars and marchers, and the whole feeling was a festive one. In other Eureka parades throwing candy is the main activity if one is riding on a float or in a vehicle. But just like at Eureka Gras' big brother in New Orleans, throwing beads was de rigueur. And collecting as many strands as you could was your obligation if you were a bystander. If you didn't get enough beads at this parade, or missed the event altogether, you have a second chance at the Eureka Gras Costume Day Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Like the night parade this one will be led by the Krewe of Barkus and their humans. Besides the Day Parade on Feb. 25 there are other events: Jokers Masquerade Ball at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the Convention Center; Mayor's Red Carpet Masquerade Ball at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Basin Park Hotel; Jazz Brunch at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Crescent Hotel; St. Liz Cajun King Cake Ball at 6 p.m. Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Parish Hall. These are ticketed events. For more information, go to EurekaSpringsMardiGras.org.

The Eureka Springs Historical Museum yard sale drew a large crowd of treasure hunters. And most shoppers found something to take home.

'Choco' up another Chocolate Fest into the history books. The Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center was once again a beehive of activity Saturday as the 2017 edition of the annual Eureka Springs Chocolate Lovers' Festival was held. Things were changed around this year. The chocolate making/baking contest, which brought KYTV's Steve Grant down to act as judge, wasn't held this year. But the upstairs Emporium was still held and Willy Wonka-style golden tickets were given away in boxes of chocolate.

Mardi Gras season is here and Eureka Springs' celebrations are up and running... and the good times are indeed rolling. Laissez le Bon temp rouler! Here are some pictures from the 2017 'Taste of N'Awlins' (New Orleans, in case you need a translation).

Annual ESP Weekend

St. James Sunday Supper

A variety of photographs from the 2015 Bikes, Blues and BBQ.

The 65th season of Opera in the Ozarks is under way and will continue through July 17. Productions for this year include "La Traviata", "Tales of Hoffmann", and two versions of the Cinderella fable... the full-length Rossini opera "La Cenerentola" and the English-language "Cinderella", which lasts less than an hour and is highlighted by an on-stage food-fight. For a schedule go to the OIO website www.opera.org. Here for your enjoyment are pictures from a rehearsal of "La Cenerentola" along with photos from the Studio Artists' production of "Cinderella." To see pictures of "La Traviata" go to the Lovely County Citizen's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lovelycountycitizen.

The ArtRageous Parade kicked off the May Festival of the Arts with enthusiastic crowds and artists and performers.

The first really nice day for the monthly Drumming in Park saw Basin Park overflowing with participants and spectators.

Speakers at the annual Ozark Mountain UFO Conference made their presentations to packed houses. They covered a wide range of topics. One interesting bit of information given by Linda Moulton Howe, former national television reporter, pointed out that governmental references to UFOs is moving away from the familiar acronym to UAP (Unidentified Ariel Phenomenon.)

Eureka Springs artist Zeek Taylor spoke at the Tales From the South "End Hate, Part 1" redux at the Caribe. All 100 available tickets were sold in this live repeat of the popular public radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell. The program originated in North Little Rock but it is now taped in restaurants and venues across central Arkansas, and at times sites across the country. It's carried by public radio stations across the country and has listeners in numerous countries.

Molly Sroges is a Eureka Springs poet. And she's unsinkable. At least that's where her t-shirt read at a fundraiser to help send her to The Women of the World Poetry Slam tomorrow. When many folks think of poetry several images may come to mind. The most common may be of being forced to memorize poems in school that begin with something like, "I think that I shall never see..." Other images may be of '50s beatniks or '60s hippies in smoke-filled coffee shops reading serious poetry with a heavy dose of social commentary. But in 1984 a new poetry venue began--a cross between live theater and a Food Network cooking challenge show. The Poetry Slam. Across the country poetry slams have taken root. Groups formed and slam events at various locations across America. One of the goals of a poetry slam is to open up the restrictive concept of what poetry is... especially the formal definition prescribed by many in academia. Like cooking shows, poetry slams have grown in popularity. In Fayetteville there's a group called Word Warriors. And Sroges will represented them at The Women of the World Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, NM. She joined 71 other female poets in the four-day event, which began March 18. The Saturday evening before folks from across the area participated in a fundraiser, held at the Caribe Restaurant, to help fund her trip. Fellow poets, musicians and friends gathered to enjoy poetry and music and donate money. Redneck Haiku, a group of musicians that included Cara Sroges and Kirk Ashworth, joined poets Houston Huges, Audrey LeBert and Marsha Yearsley in the event.

Saturday was a beautiful day for a parade. And hundreds, if not thousands, lined the Spring Street for the annual Eureka's annual Mardi Gras parade.

A combination of beautiful weather, the Mardi Gras parade and Valentines Day conspired to make the annual Chocolate Lovers Festival a huge success. In fact, organizers had to stop admitting folks when they ran out of boxes - 1,400 were prepared - and supplies of chocolate began to run out. All-in-all, the event was outstanding. A judging team, headed by perennial Chocolate Festival judge Steve Grant of KY3 TV, selected the winners of the annual contest.

The 2015 Hookers and Jokers Ball is now in the books. The event certainly fulfilled the well-worn cliche, "A good time was had by all." Here are a few pictures from what will prove to be one of the parties of the year.

The 2015 Annual Blacklight Ball was held after the Mardi Gras parade last Saturday evening.

The first annual Mayor's Ball was held last Friday at the Basin Park Ballroom.

For scores, stats and story please look here; http://www.carrollconews.com/story/2043281.html

For scores, stats and story please look here; http://www.carrollconews.com/story/2043281.html

The 33rd Annual Doggie Style Show was held at the Inn of the Ozarks Tuesday, November 19th.

Blues legend BB King played to a near packed house at the Aud. "They told me I played here once before," BB told the crowd. He played, he sang, he shared his heart and bantered with an appreciative audience. A good time was, indeed, had by all.

The Cleverlys performed to a packed Basin Park.

Enjoy our photos from the Widespread Panic performance on Sat, Sept 21, 2013 at Southaven, Mississippi just outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos by Joe Huff.

In a run up to the PSC hearing in Little Rock a benefit for Save the Ozarks was held at the Rockin' Pig. Mountain Sprout provided the entertainment and all the friends of STO provided the good times... assisted, of course, by the wonderful staff at the Rockin' Pig. Here are a few pictures from the event. Digital pictures may be ordered by calling the CCN office at 870-423-6636. Order by gallery name and photo sequence number. Images delivered on CD.

The first Fleur Delicious event was the Bartender Contest held at the Caribe last Wednesday. Here are pictures from the fun.

The Fourth of July is not only America's birthday but Eureka Springs also. What better place to celebrate. Here are pictures from Eureka and across the county as the Fourth is celebrated in Lovely County.