Maybe segregation would have disappeared from Mardi Gras parades regardless, but Dorothy Mae Taylor sure speeded up the process by making it illegal.

The tradition of Fayetteville's Mardi Gras bar crawl began more than 20 years ago when Louisiana native Jean Button paired up with restaurant owner Frank Sharp with plans to throw a small, informal Mardi Gras party.

Maybe segregation would have disappeared from Mardi Gras parades regardless, but Dorothy Mae Taylor sure speeded up the process by making it illegal.

The 12th annual Habitat for Humanity Mardi Gras Celebration is set for Saturday at the Rothschild Pavilion, 1104 Park St. Hear music from jazz favorite Sid Kyler starting at 6 pm, and Whoz Playing will perform dance music from 8 pm to midnight.

On Saturday, the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus will make a second run at the celebration they launched last year as a remedy to Portland's lackluster treatment of the Louisiana bayou's most hyped holiday.