The Mardi Gras event sure to please all is Monday, Jan. 6 at the Lake Charles Event Center at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Families are encouraged to arrive early. The Kid Zone will be open 6 p.m.-6:45 pm.

“The 12th Night Celebration is truly a family affair,” said Jackie Martz, Krewe de la Boucaniers.

Danae Lawson, Krewe Noblesse, one of the oldest Lake Charles krewes, agrees. “Everyone gets a piece of king cake and there will be grand prizes for the 12 lucky people who find the babies,” she said. “It’s definitely an introduction to Mardi Gras.”

12th Night Celebration is the event that opens the season. It is for those who want to learn more about what Mardi Gras is all about and maybe join a krewe and for those who have no interest in joining a krewe, but can’t resist the dazzling pageantry as 35 krewes present their past royalty for the final time in grand costumes, marking the official beginning of the Carnival season.

Martz said new royalty is announced in February. Her krewe doesn’t wear costumes. It wears traditional pirate “garb” and royalty adds the appropriate embellishments, glitter and sequins.

Expect Italian Renaissance splendor from Krewe Noblesse.

Lawson said that while only 35 krewes will be represented at the 12th Night Celebration, there are about 50 krewes that have been around for some time in Southwest Louisiana and over 200 krewes total, basically a krewe for everyone.

To be a member of Noblesse, an existing member provides a reference, and the board votes. Other krewes have open invites, and then the board votes. Some krewes require sponsors and a vote. Some krewes are restricted to certain areas and age groups.

The evening will also feature the traditional “passing of the crown” as farewell is bid to last year’s Kings and Queens.

Tickets for the 12th Night Celebration are $10, with children 5 and under admitted for free.

Tickets can be purchased online, at select local merchants, or at the door.

Don’t miss the fun and excitement that will set the stage for the many Mardi Gras events to come: Jan. 24, 6 p.m., Community Dance at Exhibition Hall; Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Merchants Parade, March 1, 8 a.m., Gumbo Cookoff at LC Event Center; March 2, Children’s Day, 11 a.m., Children’s Parade, 3:30 p.m.; Lighted Boat Parade; 7 p.m.; March 3, 7 p.m., Royal Gala at LC Event Center, March 4, 1 p.m., Second Line Stroll, 2 p.m., Jeeps on Parade, 3 p.m., Motorgras, 5 p.m. MGSWLA Krewe of Krewes Parade.

Find out more  at www.MardiGrasSWLA.com.