Click image to enlarge.

Scott Terrell

Mardi Gras may best be known as an old and much-beloved Southern tradition.

But this month, that annual celebration is taking on a decidedly eastern Skagit flavor as the town of Concrete gears up for a week of Mardi Gras madness Jan. 12-19
The event kicks off with a masquerade ball starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Cajun Bar & Grill. Bring your beads and bangles, your fanciest mask and get ready for a New Orleans-style five-course meal, music, dancing and the crowning of the Mardi Gras king and queen.

The week’s events continue with a doubloon contest at Summit Bank; a mask-decorating contest at Sauk View Gallery; a window-decorating contest at businesses in Concrete; and a Mardi Gras parade, an all-terrain vehicle show and wheelbarrow races starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, along Main Street downtown.

“It’s the only chance for people who own an ATV to ride it on Main Street,” said Tim Cooley, owner of the Cajun Bar & Grill and vice president of the Concrete Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing the event.

Chamber President Valerie Stafford came up with the idea while researching ways to draw more people to Concrete during the normally subdued winter months. And she wanted an event that would be unique in Skagit County.

When she approached other chamber members and business owners in town with the Mardi Gras idea, the response was unanimously positive.

“People have really gotten into it,” Stafford said.

The event is really more like the Carnival celebrations that start on Jan. 6 and continue until Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday.

As part of the planning, Stafford consulted with Cooley, a native of New Orleans, who is familiar with the Mardi Gras traditions.

“I grew up around it,” Cooley said. In fact, Cooley’s sister used to be involved with a krewe, a group that comes together to create an ornate parade float or sponsor and organize a Mardi Gras event.

Immediately, Cooley knew he wanted to host a traditional masquerade ball. He’s also baking King Cakes in honor of the event. King Cakes are fashioned from a ring of twisted bread topped with icing of the traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple and green, with a small plastic baby figure hidden inside. The person who gets the piece of the cake with the baby is required to host the next party, Cooley explained.

Already, Cooley said he’s received plenty of reservations for the masquerade ball. But the parade and ATV show also are proving popular draws, he said.

Participants can compete in three divisions for the wheelbarrow races — single-wheel, dual-wheel and “modified.”

“Modified?”

“Well, that’s up for your interpretation,” Cooley said.

• Beverly Crichfield can be reached at 360-416-2135 or

At a glance:
What: Mardi Gras celebrations, including a masquerade ball, doubloon contest, decorations, special sales, a parade, ATV show and wheelbarrow races.
When: Jan. 12-19.
Where: Mostly in downtown Concrete.
Cost: $40 per person, $75 per couple for the meal and entertainment, and the crowning of the king and queen during the masquerade ball starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Cajun Bar & Grill, 7296 Baker St., Concrete.

• For information about or reservations for the masquerade ball, call 360-853-8518. For information about the mask-decorating contest Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Sauk View Gallery, 7460 South Dillard Ave., call 360-853-8209. For information about the parade, ATV show or wheelbarrow contest, including entry prices, call the Concrete Chamber of Commerce, 360-853-7621 or .