In New Orleans, they're gearing up for what is proposed to be the biggest Mardi Gras celebration since 2004 - before Katrina almost destroyed the city.

Here, the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce is celebrating with a Mardi Gras of its own tomorrow and Sunday at the Nevada Treasure Luxury RV Resort on North Leslie Street at Highway 160. The resort is the location of the former Seibt Desert Retreat.

The chamber has been working hard this past winter to initiate a list of festivals and events to promote businesses and tourism. This is the first of the new events and there is something for everyone.

For the kids, Davis Amusements will provide a carnival. There are 10 rides set up on the property.

Those who like to cook, either as a professional, a student or a home cook, are welcome to enter the Cajun cook-off on Saturday. Participants 18 and older will be assigned a booth. Cooks should bring all of their ingredients, utensils and propane grills. No one but the contestants are allowed in the booth, save for the judges, one of whom is the Pahrump Valley Times' Mark Waite. The allotted cooking time start to finish is three and a half hours.

The cook-off rules follow professional guidelines in that all dishes must be plated and presented to the judges at the end of the "heat." The food becomes the property of the Mardi Gras and cleanup of the booth area is required.

For all the effort, prizes will be awarded. It's a fair competition as the categories are broken down into professionals, students and creative or home cooks. The professional's prize is a two-night stay at the Orleans in a deluxe tower room and breakfast for two in the French Quarter buffet. Students compete for a day in the kitchen with a professional chef and creative or home cooks are working for dinner and a show. The dinner will be for two in the Prime Rib Loft at the Orleans and the show is two complimentary tickets to any of the attractions in the Orleans showroom.

The event features vendors of all kinds. Julia Lawrence, the Mardi Gras chairman, said over 50 vendors have signed up to participate and will have an array of foods, water, sodas and beer. Crafters will bring jewelry, wood art, baskets, quilts, gourd art, home décor, Caribbean crafts, wall art, Scentsy candles and potpourri and other items.

Local businesses are participating as well, and Nye County Search and Rescue will be there.

There is also a parade. Lucy Ivins, the chamber director said it was "important for the Mardi Gras to be as close to the real thing as possible." The chamber sought nominations from the community in search of a king and queen to lead the parade.

The requirements on the nomination applications stated: "The King and Queen must exhibit community spirit and have regal presence; they must be poised and able to lead the parade with pride and dignity. The presence of the King and Queen honor the Mardi Gras Celebration and they serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce and the community at large."

Ivins said there were many wonderful nominees to consider but the board selected Ray and Irene Wulfenstein to serve as the first honorary king and queen.

They were nominated by Linda DeMeo who said of Ray "a man of vision ... Ray founded the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce and served as its first president. Ray supports our youth with scholarships and celebrates winning teams. ... His playful personality will make him the king of kings for our Mardi Gras."

Of Irene, DeMeo said "...behind every good king is the queen. She is a positive and uplifting voice in our community. Irene's grace and poise will prove a worthy queen."

The parade begins at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

There is also live entertainment scheduled. Tom Saitta and Friends, Chuck Jeffries and the Country, Jazz Swing Band and Steve Tyrrell and his Caribbean Band are scheduled to perform Saturday. Tom Saitta will also perform on Sunday. The Nevada Silver Tappers and the all-female gunfighters who call themselves The Smokin' Gun Sisters are also providing entertainment.

On Sunday morning, there will be a Cajun breakfast in the convention center at the RV resort. A mimosa fountain, Louisiana sausage, Cajun potatoes, fiesta eggs and gumbo are on the menu for $12 per person. The breakfast is a chance to donate to a local charity as well. Two dollars of the ticket price will go to support local nonprofits and if participants wish, they may designate which charity gets their $2.

Admission to the Mardi Gras is free. Vendor booths open at 9 a.m., the parade is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, breakfast will be served 9 a.m.-noon Sunday morning and the carnival tickets are being handled by Davis Amusements.

For more information, call Julia Lawrence, 727-5800.