BEAUMONT, Texas — Celebrations are in full swing leading up to the Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade on Saturday evening.
Four new floats have been added to the parade this year in an effort to make Mardi Gras bigger and better than ever.
"Parades are the best thing about Mardi Gras," said Mardi Gras Chairman Tim Romero.
He says you can expect to see some of the new and extravagant floats added to this year's parade lineup.
"Well you can't have a Mardi Gras without a parade, that's just a fact. This year we have three really big parades that start tonight," Romero said.
A well loved tradition that Krewe de Los Borrachos says has had them coming back to get involved for the last 10 years.
"It is definitely a tradition, we are a krewe of service and we spend the day out here during the parade, having fun getting together and fellowship. But during the other part of the year we spend it giving back to the community," Borrachos Krewe Founder Theresa Hebert.
The Majestic Krewe of Aurora Parade is bringing out all the stops for the big event, including the four new floats. Three of the floats were purchased from Mardi Gras Galveston.
"One for sure has a jiving alligator on the front, and it looks like a Mardi Gras king cake. Really these are great floats very sturdy, they were well made New Orleans style floats, they are a great addition to our fleet," said Romero.
The parade route kicks off at the Beaumont Civic Center with people getting on their new floats to let the good times roll. The parade will even go right through the festival grounds on Crockett Street.
"The security in all downtown and it will be one of the safest places right here in downtown Beaumont this weekend," Romero told 12News.
This makes krewes even more excited to take part in the parade.
"The parades are the heart of Mardi Gras celebration," Hebert said.
There is a parade Friday night, but the big Krewe of Aurora Parade kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m., so be ready to get out there and catch some beads!
Check out the full Mardi Gras schedule here.