Despite the inclement weather on Friday that postponed the Krewe of Cleopatra, I still got to ride with the Krewe of Choctaw on Saturday. It was cold and misty in the morning as we headed to the breakfast provided by the great folks at Bennigan's in Algiers to fill up on coffee, eggs, grits, bacon and sausage, biscuits and more. The face painter was busy making up the court members for their long awaited ride...
After breakfast, we were off to the parade route to load up the floats and get ready to ride. Controlled chaos best describes the scene when a parade is lining up. The face painter handled a line of krewe members who preferred a painted face to the masks. Floats were pulling into the correct positions. Bands lined the streets, practicing that one last time before beginning to march.
Finally, it was time to roll! As we rode through Terrytown and Gretna, the faithful parade goers who braved the weather were showered with throws from all of the floats.
It was an exhausting but spectacularly fun day!
Sunday morning dawned overcast, but by the time we made it to the parade route on General de Gaulle, the sun was shining just in time for the Marine Corps Band to march down the street.
After watching the court and other royalty pass by, we zipped over to Gretna for the Family Gras celebration. We arrived just in time to hear the end of Irma Thomas' set. While waiting on the next performance, we grabbed a bite to eat and visited with friends that we ran into all over the street. At around 2 pm, Blake Shelton took to the stage and had a great response from the waiting crowd. I'm so glad that Gretna is participating in the Family Gras celebration and bringing it to the West Bank.
After the band finished, we met up with other friends to see the entire Krewe of Alla parade.
With over 30 floats, it was a full afternoon. Whew....home to sleep and get ready for the coming week.
Happy Mardi Gras to everyone!
Lisa - The picture you paint is wonderful. Your blogs about the events are a connection for those of us that are far from home. They carry the same resonance letters to soldiers stationed in far away lands carry to those troops.
Home is a close as the interweb and you fill it with wonderfully poignant descriptions.
I will send along pics of the cherry blossoms should they bloom this spring.
John, you always have the kindest things to say! If I can bring you even a touch of NOLA, then I'm more pleased than you will ever know.
Elaine, I was right at the front of the stage. So close I could have touched his foot!!!!!
Judi, I'm whipped :) My hubby is riding again on Mardi Gras Day...I'm not sure yet if I can do another one!
Stephanie, you are welcome. You should come experience it in person!
Lisa,
Happy MG! As you know... I have mixed feelings about you enjoying yourself so much down there. I am, however, going out with an old friend on Tuesday night. He came down to visit me a few times while I lived down there and we plan to celebrate our own Mardis Gras in Boston.
Now.... throw me some beads.