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13th annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival held in North Boulevard Town Square
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BATON ROUGE - This weekend’s 13th annual Mardi Gras Festival brought more than music and celebration. Organizers say the event also created new opportunities for local small businesses to grow.
After the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade, many people stayed downtown to continue the festivities at North Boulevard Town Square, where dozens of vendors set up shop.
From live performances to food and craft booths, the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival filled the area with color, culture, and community. For founder Henry Turner Jr., the event has always been about more than entertainment.
“We thought about a great economic development tool that will go with the Spanish Town Mardi Gras festival,” Turner said.
Turner, who also runs Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, says the vendor village is a major part of that mission.
“We’ve got food vendors, craft vendors, all kinds of vendors,” he said.
About 60 small businesses participated this year, including The Hat Bar L.A., a new company that allows customers to design their own custom trucker hats. With patches, pins, chains, and personal touches, each hat becomes one-of-a-kind.
Owner Genesys Washington started her business in November 2025 and says this festival marked an important step forward.
“I started this business in November of 2025,” Washington said. “This is my first festival.”
She says she was surprised by the size of the crowd and the support she received.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be such a large crowd, but everybody here is so nice. They’re so welcoming,” Washington said.
Washington adds that the festival has helped her connect with other entrepreneurs and expand her network.
“It’s really great networking with some of the other businesses,” she said.
Organizers estimate thousands of people passed through the festival over the weekend, giving vendors valuable exposure and new customers. They say that impact is exactly what the event is designed to create, bringing the community together while lifting up local entrepreneurs.
“This definitely won’t be my last festival,” Washington said. “Thank you for allowing me to display my creativity.”
Festival leaders say they plan to continue hosting the event each year for as long as possible, keeping the tradition alive while supporting small businesses in downtown Baton Rouge.
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