The last weekend of February promises to be a busy weekend in Troup County, with a race featuring students from across the south, a Mardi Gras parade, the return of the Sock Hops by popular demand and a literary lecture.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Diverse Power Grand Prix GreenpowerUSA race will take place on the LaGrange College campus. Electric race cars built by middle and high school students will drive on a 0.7 mile track at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. The event is free and open to the public, and food trucks will be on site during the event, which is expected to end around 5 p.m.

Then at 7 p.m., the third annual Krewe of Mask Mardi Gras Parade will roll out. The family-friendly parade will feature Debbie Burdette as the grand marshal, King Peter and Queen Cherie Anderson and movie-themed floats from local groups. The parade will begin at Sweetland Amphitheatre, turn onto Ridley Avenue, continue past the square, turn right onto Broome Street, turn right onto Bull Street and continue past Lafayette Square (onto Church Street), before returning to the amphitheater. Prizes including coins, beads and small toys will be thrown to parade attendees. There will also be prizes for best costumes.

In addition, if you would like to hear some classic rock to round out the day, the Sock Hops will perform at the Troup High Fine Arts Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. The event is hosted by the Troup High School Alumni Association and all proceeds benefit projects at THS, like student scholarships, teacher appreciation events and various teacher and student needs throughout the school year.

Capping off a busy weekend, Dr. Mary Ann Wilson, a professor emerita at University of Louisiana-Lafayette will lead an installment in LaGrange College’s Sunday Series. The series focuses on “Small Town South in Literature or Film.” The lecture on Sunday will look at William Faulkner’s short story, “A Rose for Emily.” The lecture will take place at 3 p.m. in room 317 of the Lewis Library at LaGrange College.