Port Arthur Will Recruit Nonprofits for Mardi Gras Kids
The city is seeking groups to host interactive activities for the February 2027 festival.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Children’s Theater
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Mardi Gras Port Arthur officials are recruiting local nonprofit organizations to provide youth-focused activities for the upcoming celebration scheduled for February 5 through 7, 2027. The event will feature a dedicated Crawfish Kids area designed to offer interactive games and educational displays for children.
Why it matters
The recruitment effort aims to expand family-friendly programming during the festival by leveraging the community reach of local nonprofits. By offering free space to participating organizations, festival organizers hope to create a vibrant and engaging environment for youth attendees.
The Crawfish Kids area is managed by the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau and will feature a bracelet-making station from Sea Rim State Park. Interested groups can reach out for recruitment details at (409) 985-7822.
The players
Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau
This agency serves as the primary municipal entity responsible for managing the Crawfish Kids area and event logistics.
Sea Rim State Park
This state-run protected area is participating in the festival to provide educational displays and youth activities.
Darragh Castillo
She is one of the primary points of contact for nonprofits interested in participating in the festival activities.
Victoria Schultz
She serves as a main contact person for organizations coordinating youth-focused displays for the upcoming event.
The details
Nonprofits looking to contribute to the event must coordinate directly with the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau via email or phone. Participating entities will set up their displays and interactive games within the designated festival footprint throughout the weekend.
Timeline
February 5-7, 2027, marks the scheduled dates for the Mardi Gras Port Arthur festival.
Friday hours for the Crawfish Kids area run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday hours for the Crawfish Kids area run from noon to 9 p.m.
Sunday hours for the Crawfish Kids area run from noon to 7 p.m.
Industry Dynamics
This recruitment drive reflects a broader trend of municipal tourism boards integrating community-based non-profits to enhance local festival offerings. By shifting away from purely commercial vendors, the city is fostering a more interactive and engagement-driven model for public celebrations.
Families visiting the Mardi Gras event will gain access to free interactive activities provided by local organizations in the Crawfish Kids area. These additions provide a structured, cost-effective way for parents to keep children engaged throughout the weekend festivities.
The takeaway
Engaging community nonprofits is an effective way to lower overhead costs while increasing the quality of family entertainment during large city events. Organizers interested in participating should prepare early to ensure their activities fit the festival's established schedule.
Further reading
Discover more about local arts and youth programming at the Children’s Theater section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Beaumont Enterprise.
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