15th Annual Mardi Gras Parade & celebration at Possum Kingdom Lake March 3
By media release
Mar 3, 2012
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Possum Kingdom Lake says "Laissez les bon temps rouler"

FORT WORTH, TX – After a difficult 2011, the Possum Kingdom Lake community is ready to “Let the Good Times Roll!”  On Saturday, March 3 at 3 p.m., the area’s 15th annual Mardi Gras Parade and Shrimp Fest will celebrate the beginning of a new travel season for the popular lakefront community.

“It’s no secret that last year’s wildfires made our tourist season a difficult one for local businesses and residents.  Today, we’re proud that 50 of the 150 homes that were burned are already being rebuilt, with more growth and development happening every day,” said Gayla Chambers, executive director of the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce (PKCC). “The entire Possum Kingdom Lake community is excited to launch a new outdoor travel season with our 15th annual Mardi Gras parade.  Whether it’s for a relaxing getaway or a fun weekend of play, we’re ready to welcome visitors back to our beautiful 310 mile shoreline.”

The parade begins at 3 p.m on Saturday, March 3 on Park Road 36. More than 500 spectators are expected to watch dozens of parade entries vie for the best business and individual float awards.  After the parade, a crowd of 750 will enjoy Shrimp Fest at 6 p.m. at the PKCC, featuring live entertainment by the Crawdaddies Cajun Band. 

The evening will be topped by crowning the 2012 King and Queen Possum. Tickets are available at the PKCC. Prices are adults - $22, seniors (62 & up) - $15 and children (10 & under) - $10. BYOB, no glass containers and NO large coolers.

About Possum Kingdom Lake

Whether your interest is water sports, camping, fishing, history, sightseeing, special events or just looking for something different for a vacation or weekend getaway, Possum Kingdom Lake and the counties of Palo Pinto, Young and Stephens offer a huge variety of activities or plenty of opportunity for just plain relaxing.
Possum Kingdom Lake – known as “The Great Lake of Texas” – offers unparalleled beauty. Towering cliffs mark the beauty of the lake, but there are also sandy beaches and quiet coves. Hell’s Gate is perhaps the best known landmark, keeping sentinel over the most popular cove on the lake. Hell’s Gate is located on the south end of the lake. Homeowners in this area are privileged to a spectacular view; however, visitors may only see “the gate” via boat or personal watercraft.

The lake has a surface area of 19,800 acres and a shoreline of 310 miles. Morris Sheppard Dam named for Senator John Morris Sheppard and authorized by the United States Congress in 1935 was the first erected by the Brazos River Conservation and Reclamation District, later to become the Brazos River Authority (BRA). It was begun on May 29, 1938 and was completed March 20, 1941. Engineers estimated the lake would need several years to reach full level, however, within a few days of completion; heavy rains up river caused the lake to fill within 24 hours.

The estimated annual visitor number close to one million and facilities to accommodate these visitors has grown dramatically over the last several years. The Possum Kingdom community is an unincorporated area. No population figures are available.

Situated 90 miles NW of Fort Worth, Texas Possum Kingdom Lake can be accessed south from Graham, Texas (referred to as the “West Side”) and north from Mineral Wells, Texas (referred to as the “East Side”). Driving distance from each side is approximately 45 minutes. www.possumkingdomlake.com