Photo taken at the 2018 Mardi Gras Columbia parade.

The ninth annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival and parade will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at City Roots Farm in downtown Columbia's Rosewood neighborhood. Hosted by the local nonprofit Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya, the family-friendly event will kick off with the customary neighborhood Mardi Gras parade at 11:00 a.m., followed by a music festival with more than 20 live bands from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission for the music festival is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under; it is free to participate in the parade. Find festival information and buy advance tickets: http://www.mardigrascolumbia.com.

Note: The Lagniappe 5k run is on hiatus and will not be held in 2019; it is slated to return next year.

The festival will feature cold beverages thanks to Louisiana-based Abita Brewing Company, and a variety of cuisines will be available for purchase from several local food trucks and vendors.

The Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya extends its thanks to major sponsors City Roots and Abita Brewing Company.

The Legendary Mardi Gras Columbia Parade, 11:00 a.m. (parade lineup 10:00 a.m.):

The community is invited to partake in the annual Mardi Gras Parade at 11 a.m., with music, costumes, and, of course, bead-throwing. Registration is not required to participate. Lineup begins at 10 a.m. on Airport Blvd at Jim Hamilton Blvd., across from City Roots, and the parade rolls at 11 a.m. The parade typically lasts for just over an hour and is approximately 1.85 miles in length.

Featured parade participants will be Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya members, other Krewes, friends, neighbors, dogs, cyclists, and more, led by the new reigning King and Queen of Mardi Gras, longtime Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya members Paul and Tara Hinson.

The 9th Annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.:

A full schedule of more than 20 local bands will be performing on four different stages for maximum entertainment and visibility, including but not limited to: Mustache Brothers; Black Iron Gathering; Space Coke; Dem Dare Cats; Todd Mathis’ Last Friends; Buckdancer; The Plowboys; Whiskey Tango Revue; George Fetner & the Strays; Candy Coffins; Pharoahs in Space; Turbo Gatto; Brandy & the Butcher; Duncan Sims & the Accused; 48 Fables; Stillhouse; Les Merry Chevaliers; Don Merckle & the Blacksmiths; Grand Republic; Poor Decisions; Devils in Disguise; and Big Sky Revival.

As an addition to this year's festivities, the Jasper Project presents bawdy poetry from some of the area's most illustrious bards. But parents needn’t worry; these poems and their humor are designed to go right over the heads of little ones.

Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome in the parade and at the festival. No dogs are allowed in City Roots’ greenhouses or kitchen facilities.

Costumes are welcomed but are in no way required. Guests are encouraged to come as they are and gather with friends and family to celebrate as a community on the Saturday before the Mardi Gras holiday.

For more information, visit http://www.mardigrascolumbia.com.

Tickets will be available at the gate. The event will be held rain or shine. Guests are advised to bring cash to save time in line for admission as well as for bars and food vendors.

Tickets can be bought online at https://mardigrascolumbia2019.eventbrite.com/.