Ozarks heating up for Eureka Gras

EUREKA SPRINGS -- With the help of a Hurricane Katrina transplant, Eureka Springs is heating up in the middle of winter to celebrate Mardi Gras in true New Orleans style. New Orleans native Dan Ellis and the Krewe of Krazo (Ozark spelled backwards) will present the city's 5th annual Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Extravaganza Feb. 4 through 16.

Eight separate events are planned, including a new addition, "Arti-Gras," designed to spotlight the city's community of artists. "We've been expanding the carnival each year, and this will be our biggest and best ever," said Ellis.

In addition to Arti-Gras, Eureka Gras 2010 includes masquerade balls, costume contests, parades, pub-crawls, music, food, and plenty of libations.

A former fire captain and a queen of finance will be crowned Eureka Gras 2010 King and Queen at the Coronation Ball, Feb. 4 at the Crescent Hotel. Queen Debbie Haskell and King Richard Bost's royal court includes Duchesses Peggy Kjelgaard, Autumn Hudgins, Mary Popovac, Melodye Purdy and Tanya Smith, and Dukes David Graupner, Allen Huffman, Rod Minner, Joe Raley and Lamont Richie.

The Coronation Ball will begin at 6 p.m. with a cash bar, followed by a champagne buffet supper and entertainment by the All That Jazz Quartet. Admission is $30. Dress is formal or costumed. Reservations are required.

Hookers and Jokers

The Hookers and Jokers Masquerade Ball will begin at 6 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. The public is welcome in costumes of any of three categories, "Gay 90's," "Guys and Dolls" or "Freakin' Eurekan." Admission is $15 in advance by calling 253-7788 or $20 at the door. The Jazz Mafia will provide music, with guest celebrity singers.

The Krewe of Krazo will lead the 5th annual Eureka Gras Parade through downtown at 2 p.m. on Feb. 6. Among the walking groups are the Krewe of Wobniar and the Krewe of Barkus (a canine entry.) The Krazo Kostume Kontest will follow at the New Delhi Cafe at 3:30 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 7, the Eureka Gras Jazz Brunch will be held at the Crescent Hotel. It's a New Orleans-style breakfast complete with second line dancing and jazz entertainment. Reservations are recommended. Call 253-9766. The brunch costs $25.

Arti-Gras

More than a dozen top Eureka Springs artists will display tastefully risqué art pieces at the inaugural Arti-Gras from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Feb. 14 through 16 at the Rowdy Beaver Restaurant. The exhibition is free, as is the Artists' Reception at the Rowdy Beaver on Feb. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

Eureka Gras Mardi Gras 2010 will culminate with the 2nd Line Krazo Krawl on Feb. 16, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Pied Piper Pub. The group will proceed through downtown on Main and Spring streets, stopping to quench their thirst along the way.

Benefit supper

Also on Feb. 16, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., a Fat Tuesday Pancake Benefit Supper will be held at the Gazebo Restaurant at the Best Western Eureka Inn. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children, including pancakes, bacon, coffee and juice. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity. Reservations are not required. For more information call Margie Bullock at 253-9119.

In addition to the listed activities, many downtown venues will participate with special events Feb. 4 through 7 and on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Transplanted tradition

Uprooted from his home in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Ellis made his way to Eureka Springs in November 2005. He fell in love with the town, decided to stay and wanted to bring the pageantry and tradition of typical New Orleans-style Mardi Gras celebrations to his new home in the Ozarks. Ellis has been part of some of the biggest krewes in Louisiana and Washington D.C., was on the Krewe of Louisianans for 21 years and he is a past member of the original Pete Fountain "Halfast Marchin' Club" in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras literally means Fat Tuesday and describes a celebratory day on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. In New Orleans and many Roman Catholic countries, a week or more of parades and parties precede the Tuesday celebration.

In Eureka Springs, the tradition is young, but growing rapidly. Tourists attending Eureka Gras and locals alike are quickly learning that "Laissez les bon temps rouler" means "Let the Good Times Roll."

For details, visit www.krazo.ureeka.org or call 981-9551.