Laissez les bon temps rouller — “Let the good times roll.” Well it is that time of the year again — Mardi Gras — and the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus will be having its annual Mardi Gras parade beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Mystic Krewe of Alpheus was founded in 1992 when a small group of Natchezians decided to form another krewe, to be a little different from all other krewes in this area. The name of our krewe came from Greek mythology. Alpheus is the god of rivers and Arethusa is his love.

Since Natchez is built on the mighty Mississippi, the new board thought the name of a river god was perfect for our krewe.

On our doubloon, Alpheus is depicted pouring water from a pitcher to create the great Mississippi River.

As many of you know, the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus parade is unique because it is a night parade and follows a different route than all others in Natchez.

We are also unique in that we are a mystic krewe with masked revelers on brightly lit and sometimes loud and musically rocking krewe floats.

The theme this year has been chosen as, “Been There, Done That!”

This year all parade goers can view this outstanding parade at any spot along the parade route. The parade will line up on Broadway Street, then turn and go down Canal Street.

We will turn right on Main Street (opposite of the one way street flow) and turn left onto Commerce Street.

We will continue down Commerce, and then turn left on Franklin Street. We will follow Franklin Street back to Broadway Street, and the parade will end past the Callon Petroleum Building.

At the conclusion of our parade our royalty will ride the Queen’s float to Doc Big Loves to formally crown our 2011 royalty.

We currently have around 25 entries but it is never too late to enter.

If you’d like to have an entry, give me a call at 601-334-0713, and I’ll let you know what you will need to do to participate.

We encourage everyone to join us at our 20th annual Mystic Krewe of Alpheus parade to celebrate this wonderful, historic season of good times and fun for everyone.

John Goodrich is the parade chairman for the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus.