Editing Alexandria, Louisiana (section)

===Mardi Gras===
[[File:AMGA Krewes Parade.jpg|thumb|200px|Mardi Gras float in the AMGA Krewes Parade in Alexandria.]]

Though Alexandria is north of the [[Cajun]] cultural area, the city recognizes [[Mardi Gras]] as an official holiday. The annual Mardi Gras Krewes Parade – occurring on the Sunday before Mardi Gras – on Texas Avenue is a major cultural festivity in the area. It is featured as a family-oriented event, and parade goers can enjoy over 20 New Orleans style floats, high school and college marching bands, as well as appearances by local celebrities. In addition to the main Sunday parade, the College Cheerleaders & Classic Cars Parade, which was established in 2008, takes place downtown on the Friday before Mardi Gras, the Children's Parade takes place downtown on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, and the Krewe of Provine Parade is held on [[Fat Tuesday]], processing along Coliseum Boulevard. All the events are organized by the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association (AMGA). The Krewe Parade can attract from 120,000 to 150,000; the Children's parade, up to 40,000 to 50,000, and the College Cheerleaders & Classic Cars, about 5,000 to 15,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alexandria Mardi Gras |url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130206/NEWS01/302060318/Alexandria-Mardi-Gras-Parades-food-luck-sunshine |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411231020/http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130206/NEWS01/302060318/Alexandria-Mardi-Gras-Parades-food-luck-sunshine |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |newspaper=Alexandria Daily Town Talk |access-date=February 11, 2013 }}</ref>