Explore Orange staff presented a plan for "Mardi Gras on the Sabine," a community festival proposed for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Riverfront Boardwalk and Pavilion. The event would include a second‑line brass‑band march, a kids parade, food vendors, family activities, a beer garden and live music, with Wayne Toups named as the evening headliner and the 4 Horses as an afternoon opener.

"We will come back at a future meeting, to present a motion to request allocation of hot fund reserves, not to exceed $60,000 in support of this event," the presenter said. Staff described partnerships with the VFW, Free State sellers, Lamar State College, the Orange Public Library, Acadian Ambulance and local police and fire for safety, barricades and first‑aid coverage.

Presenters described a festival layout that uses the Riverfront Pavilion and boardwalk, plans for kid‑friendly activities and vendors, contingency plans to relocate some activities under cover in case of rain, and promotional plans including billboards, local news and social media. They provided a high‑level cost overview: entertainment and artists, safety fencing and barricades, event rentals and advertising; staff said the $60,000 request to hotel‑occupancy‑tax reserves is an estimate and that they will return with a formal motion and more detailed budget breakdown.

Council members praised the concept and asked clarifying questions about costs and logistics; no appropriation was approved at the presentation, but staff signaled they will return with a formal funding request for council consideration.