Happy Mardi Gras! Nana Nancy joined us for our first Mardi Gras parades of the year: Pontchartrain and Shangri-la. Paul and Will walked over to the barber shop Saturday morning to get cleaned up — and stopped at Clement Hardware on their way home to pick up a viewing ladder (ladder with special box for kids to sit above the crowds for the parades). The ladders have wheels so that they can be rolled like wheelbarrows; Will “rode” the ladder for their walk home.
We got there a little earlier and set up in one of our favorite spots… towards the start of the parade on Napoleon where the crowds are more spread out. Families were snacking out of coolers, kids playing football and riding scooters in the street, folks buying cotton candy and peanuts, lots of people in costume, hats, and funky accessories. Complete fun!
The “pre-parade” included the local Goldwings group, a Vespa club, a mini-VW association and a riding club. I fell in love with a baby blue Vespa — the rider wore a matching outfit and had throws that coordinated with her ensemble.
The official parades were the standard variety, although with many more families (including children) than the more well-known Krewes that roll right around MG.
Tons of marching bands and dancing groups. We did wish that more of the music was of the local variety — there are many more of those in the big parades (from our experience).
Will caught a sword from Shangri-La… and much to may dismay… he LOVES it. From the moment he caught it, it has been the center of his world. We have pretty strict rules about not pointing it at anyone (or he looses it for the rest of the day) which has kept things in check, but I still hate that he loves it. He couldn’t wait to show it to Kate once he opened it.
Happy Mardi Gras everyone!
Anonymous | 13-Feb-07 at 6:52 am | Permalink
“Complete fun.” A very fitting description – pics are great. Hope you escaped most of the stormy NOLA wx that has been on the news.
Love,
Grandpa G