The 31st annual Taste of Mardi Gras will be held at the Randolph Riverfront Center today starting at 7pm.

Sponsored by the Louisiana Restaurant Association-Cenla Chapter, the event will be filled with food, live music, and the spirit of Mardi Gras.

All funds raised at the event will be directly contributed to local charities and initiatives, including Children’s Mardi Gras Parade, Children’s Miracle Network, the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, LRA Programs (Education Foundation and Louisiana ProStart), and Manna House Ministries.

About 35 different restaurants are participating, providing samples for participants. There will also be two bands playing live music.

“The Bentley Room, The Diamond Grill, Salad Station, Texas Roadhouse, Coca-Cola, Eastside Daiquiris,” said Scott Laliberte, Chapter President for the Restaurant Association. “I mean the list goes on and on and on and then we got the Cenla Brass Band who will do a second line with Crew of Fler De Lis and our headlining band is the Chee-Weez, Everyone just piles to the dance floor and dances the night away.”

Currently, tickets are $50 online, but $60 at the door. Taste of Mardi Gras is a cashless event this year, so bring a mobile device or debit/credit card. Click here for tickets.