LIVE EVENTS
Carnival is in full swing and The Krewe of Okeanos will take to the streets of the historic neighborhoods at noon on Saturday for their thirteenth annual Mardi Gras parade. The parade will feature bands, floats, walking groups and motorized entries.
The parade starts at Jack’s Roadhouse and rolls up Dixon Street to Belvin Street. It proceeds all the way down Belvin to Scott Street where it makes a dogleg turn onto Hutchinson Street, where it moves one block to Blanco Street and turns right. After crossing Hopkins, the parade turns right on San Antonio Street and heads all the way back to Jack’s Roadhouse.
Jude Prather and Kathy Martinez-Prather, King and Queen Okeanos XIV, will lead the procession on the Royal Float, while some of the past royals will follow in cars. Major Okeanos sponsor La Cima will make their parade debut in this year’s event. Other sponsors, Divided Sky Roofing and Solar, Lions Club and Zelicks Icehouse will also have entries in the parade.
Molly Ann Rosas-Garcia, the 2026 parade chair is excited for this year’s procession.
“This year is going to be the grandest and most spectacular San Marcos’ Mardi Gras Parade thus far,” Rosas-Garcia said. “Come out and join us for this family, friendly event and be prepared to have an amazing time. There will be thousands and thousands of beads and throws up for grabs for everyone and some unique items from several floats. Rain or Shine the parade rolls at noon!”
Music is an integral part of Mardi Gras and the Okeanos procession will not disappoint. The Royal Bagpiper, Robert Eby, will lead off the parade followed by the Boy Scout Troop 18 Color Guard. Other musical entries include Two’s A Party Jazz Band, Los Gatos 512, Time of Night, The RAB Show, Alex Roddy’s Riverside Hot Five, the Lower 99 Band, and Justin James Bridges & Kali Rose.
The Krewe of Okeanos was founded in 2012 and their first parade was in 2013. The first parade was a lone trumpeter leading a makeshift float down Belvin Street. Since then, the event has grown to a major winter event in San Marcos, drawing visitors to celebrate community and the joy of Mardi Gras.
For more information on Krewe membership you can contact the Krewe at kreweofokeanosinforma-tion@ gmail.com
