Three downtown businesses are bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to Warren with a collaborative event that combines creativity, community, and local business support.
 
Wicked Warren's, Chloe’s Creamery, and The Plaza Restaurant are teaming up for a miniature parade float competition—shoebox derby style—with a unique twist. Instead of racing on wheels, the floats will advance by rolling dice.  
 
The event kicks off on Saturday, March 1st, when Chloe’s Creamery will host a miniature parade float-building session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
The public is invited to help design and decorate three shoebox-sized Mardi Gras floats, each representing one of the participating businesses.  
 
"We will be doing this event at both at our Warren location and Jamestown location," stated Drew Erlandson, Head Brewer at Wicked Warren. "We will have three floats at each place, so we are super excited about it. It was a large effort by all three of us."
 
The celebration continues on Tuesday, March 4th, at both Wicked Warren's locations, where the min parade floats will compete in a dice-rolling race starting at 6:00pm. The event will feature traditional Mardi Gras elements, including beads, masks, and live New Orleans jazz.  
 
“This is a fun way to collaborate with the other businesses here," said Antoinetta Lindell, owner of Chloe’s Creamery. "I know it may seem odd, restaurants working together instead of competing, but we really are a tight-knit community. We are excited to build the floats too. We've taken the highlights of each business and will be using those as the basis of our decorations."
 
The Plaza Restaurant, also involved in the collaboration, emphasized the importance of small businesses working together.  
 
"We are so lucky to live in a small town with businesses that work together instead of against each other," Kelly Mangione, server at Plaza Restaurant said. "I think it's great for everybody that lives here to see us coming together for a special holiday and having some fun."
 
The public is encouraged to take part in both events, support local businesses, and cast their vote for the winning mini parade float.