The 2023 Children’s Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, in the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall.

This event — which has been put on for over 15 years — is hosted by Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana, who aims to provide the area with both a fun and educational experience before the Children’s Parade begins at 3:30 p.m.

Cliff Bailey, the organization’s vice president, said families can anticipate “a fun-filled day that puts our children in the spotlight for the day.”

Providing enrichment for area youth is a priority for the organization. “It’s all about our future.”

A way in which they achieve this is by educating local children on the importance of Mardi Gras and Cajun culture, instilling “a sense of pride in their community and culture as they help carry on Mardi Gras traditions to the younger generation,” Bailey said. “It allows us to pass down our traditions to future generations so that the culture can be carried on.”

They achieve this by curating activities and treats that are centered around the Mardi Gras Culture, such as king cake, a fais-do-do, Cajun music and dance lessons, mask decorating, face painting, fun jumps, cornhole games, a scavenger hunt and many interactive stations.

“It’ll be a full exhibition hall with many local vendors ready to have some fun while teaching kids about the tradition and history of the carnival season,” he said.

Every activity has been donated by participating local organizations

Children’s Day is a region-wide effort. Bailey said that many organizations – The Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana, Children’s Miracle Network, Investar Bank, Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, Visit Lake Charles, Entergy, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Saint Nicholas Center – have provided both volunteers and activities.

He said that it is vital for local organizations and individuals to volunteer their time and resources to SWLA. “To volunteer in your community is the gift that keeps on giving,” he said. “You gain stewardship in the community, and the community gains a valuable building block of success.”

MGSWLA is still recruiting vendors and volunteers.

Vendors that are interested can contact Ashanti Griffin at ashanti@bbbsswla.org. Individual volunteers can contact Bailey at cliffbailey81@gmail.com.