Spectators try to catch beads being thrown from balconies in February 2023 during the Krewe of Hebe Mardi Gras Upriver Grand Parade in Jefferson. (Les Hassell/Longview News-Journal File Photo)

From Staff Reports

Jefferson Mardi Gras Upriver is back with a rock ‘n’ roll theme this year as organizers prepare for a weekend of live music, good food, shopping and family activities.

This year’s events take place Feb. 28 and March 1-2 in downtown Jefferson.

“Rock N Roll Upriver,” hosted by the Krewe of Hebe, is the organization’s 35th Mardi Gras celebration and will begin Feb. 28 with the Doo Dah Parade at 7 p.m.

Attendees are invited to dress in their wildest Mardi Gras costume and join in the parade. Revelers begin at Lions Park and parade down to the main stage for the Alley Dance.

A concert by the Dragstrip Phantoms will take place 7 to 10 p.m. Feb 28 after the Doo Dah Parade on the main stage. The Dragstrip Phantoms are a retro-rockabilly roots band from Shreveport known for blending classic rockabilly with surf rock, roots, country, swing blues and jazz.

Celebrations run 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. March 1 in downtown Jefferson.

Josh Davis, an Elvis tribute artist, will perform 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Davis has been performing for more than 10 years, and his repertoire includes Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and more. Davis was named as one of the top 20 Elvis tribute artists in the world by Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2015, and he has won many local and national awards.

The Krewe of Hebe Motorcycle Parade will begin at 1:45 p.m. March 1, followed by the Krewe of Hebe Grand Parade at 2 p.m.

Lone Star Skynyrd is set to perform 3 to 5 p.m. The band is a Dallas-based group of musicians who recreate Lynyrd Skynyrd songs such as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps” and “Free Bird.”

The Krewe of Hebe awards presentation is set at 5 p.m. March 1, followed by a concert from SnakeBone from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and the Bluez Boyz Band from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

SnakeBone performs classic rock and has been heavily influenced by hair bands of the 1980s.

Bluez Boyz Band, based in Tyler, includes Bobby Edwards on guitar and vocals, Chris Wallace on guitar and vocals, Landon Green on drums and vocals and Ronnie Edwards on bass and vocals. The band has performed in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

March 2 events include a DJ and karaoke from noon to 5 p.m. on the main stage, followed by the Krewe of Hebe Children’s Parade at 2 p.m.

All-day attractions include a children’s carnival and food vendors at the courthouse parking lot and Dallas Street; arts and crafts vendors on Vale Street; and Jay Gould’s Private Railroad Car, the Jefferson Historical Museum and the Krewe of Hebe Souvenir Booth on Austin Street.

For a complete schedule, go to mardigasupiver.com.

This year’s queen and king are Carmen McDonnell and Colt Johnson.