An exhibit showcasing the history and revelry of Southwest Louisiana’s Mardi Gras culture will be on display from Jan. 5-March 27 at Imperial Calcasieu Museum, 204 W. Sallier St.

A free opening reception is scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. Justina Wolford, museum interim director, said the installation was at Central School Arts and Humanities Center for several years. After Hurricane Laura’s August 2020 landfall, however, the building was evacuated and the exhibit was placed in storage.

“We got together and wanted to basically resurrect the exhibit,” Wolford said. “Now that this is the first Mardi Gras we’re having in two years, it’s a tangible thing. That’s why we were so excited.”

Wolford said the exhibit at Imperial Calcasieu Museum will feature a mix of newer and older elaborate Mardi Gras costumes, including  masks, crowns and shoes. It will also feature krewe banners and the animatronics that explain the history of Mardi Gras and the local krewes.

“I think people really miss that part of our culture,” Wolford said. “We’re just getting back up and running as well, so an opportunity to join in on this is so exciting.”

The opening reception will feature the Twelfth Night Revelers, live music and king cake tastings. All Mardi Gras krewes are invited.

Imperial Calcasieu Museum is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Daily admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and veterans and $2 for seniors.

For more on the Mardi Gras exhibit, call the museum at 439-3797 or email info@imperialcalcasieumuseum.org.

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Online: imperialcalcasieumuseum.org.