Carroll Arts Board to hold Mardi Gras at fairgrounds

The Carroll County Arts Board and North American Stainless are teaming up to host Carroll County’s first ever Mardi Gras event on Feb. 10 from 7-9 p.m.

The event will be in the newly refurbished building at the Carroll County Fairgrounds. The Fair Board will be selling refreshments and snacks from the new, fully equipped kitchen.

The Soundz of Dixie, of Madison, will perform throughout the night with Dixieland music and traditional New Orleans style jazz for all to enjoy.

“If anyone feels like getting up and dancing, they’re more than welcome to,” Sam Burgess, president of the Arts Board, said.

The event is the first Mardi Gras held in Carroll County. Last year, the Arts Board held a St. Patrick’s Day event in March, hosting Irish musicians with traditional Irish folk music.

“This year, we looked at something different,” Burgess said. “We came up with Mardi Gras as a possibility and Dixieland music, which seems to have popular appeal.” The Feb. 10 date was chosen since Fat Tuesday falls on Feb. 13 — the day before Valentine’s Day on Wednesday.

“Our goal this year — provided funding is there — is to do one event each quarter in 2024,” Burgess said. “We’re looking at something that will showcase different types of art venues.”

Events for the next three quarters are still in the planning stages. However, Burgess said they do plan to bring back the Gallatin County Chorus to perform a patriotic music presentation for the Fourth of July.

“We’re a small group, but we try to present some meaningful art exposure to the citizens of Carroll County that they might not otherwise get,” Burgess added.

He said the event will also serve as an unveiling of the newly renovated building at the Carroll County Fairgrounds. The work, completed recently, includes a kitchen which, according to Burgess, has been “a dream for several years.” He said the building is a multi-purpose venue for all kinds of events. It will be used as an exhibit hall for the fair, but there are two public restrooms, a concession stand, three event rings with bleachers, a stage area, and more.

In the works for about 10 years, the Arts Board was able to receive grant money two years ago that allowed the project to finally move forward. While the grant did not cover all costs, Burgess is hopeful that rental proceeds on the building for events will help cover loan payments.

In addition to the Mardi Gras, the Carroll County Main Street Program will host its annual Chocolate Walk.

For those interested in joining the Carroll County Arts Board, new members are being accepted and dues are $25 a year. For more info, contact Patricia Hersey, the board’s treasurer, at the Carroll County Public Library.