Don’t think you’ll be making it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year?  Check out the celebration done South Dakota style in Deadwood from Feb. 19 to 21.

The city of Deadwood is well known for its many annual celebrations and events. Mardi Gras is no exception.

Sure, the weather in Louisiana is probably a little warmer and there isn’t much need to worry about the occasionally snowfall, but this doesn’t prohibit a fun time during the Deadwood event.

The king and queen of Mardi Gras will be named on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cadillac Jack’s. Besides the colorful costumes and fun speeches provided by the candidates, there will also be appetizers and beer sampling starting at 5 p.m. Check out the People’s Parade on Friday, Feb. 20, to see whose costume takes home a cash prize, and enjoy your drink as open container is permitted this night and on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Also on the 21st, enjoy some of the most delicious food Mardi Gras has to offer at the Cajun Cook-Off and cake-decorating contest. Lastly, don’t forget to be one of the 15,000 annual visitors to the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday night for a chance to get some beads and hear “Curley Taylor 7 & the Zydeco Trouble” perform live.

Sounds like an all-around good time! If you want to enter a float or compete to be the new king or queen, fill out one of the applications here.