2-14-15

We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by going to the Mardi Gras parade in Baton Rouge LA. Following good advice we got going early and left for downtown by 9AM for the 12PM start time. Our directions were good, taking us right by the LSU Tigers stadium, then straight to the action. Dumb luck landed us in a parking lot adjacent to the parade route.

As we pulled in we passed many spots already in party mode. Tailgates were down, tents were raised and drinks were flowing! After parking we just sat in the Burb and tried to take it all in.

With chairs, water and Melvin in hand we took a short walk to the street. With no effort we found an empty spot right on the curb. Guess we landed a front row seat for the action. As we looked around, Ruth and I kept poking each other and saying "Did you see that?" People were in all sorts of get ups. Pink was the prominent color of shirts, hats, leg covers, shoes etc. Others sported the purple and gold of LSU.

After a half hour or so, I grabbed the camera and took a walk down the street. Folks happily posed for photos. Very few costumes were duplicates. The originality was inspiring. Street vendors rolled carts displaying beads, masks, hats, Sponge Bob balloons, a fair share of more adult themed apparel. For the next two hours it was a constant stream of people passing in front of our ring side seats. Ruth and I did manage to find a food stand just before the parade began. Now I not only know what jambalaya is, I have eaten it. (Browned and seasoned rice with sausage and pork bits mixed in)

Then out of nowhere the city police force blue lights flashing cleared the streets for the soon to follow parade. Just as the first float appeared about two blocks to our right, a sea of people moved in front of us, standing in the street 10 deep. Our fellow sidewalk chair companions from Minnesota were quick to inform us, this was a standing room only event, if you wanted to catch some beads. Without hesitation, we both got out of our chairs and pushed our way up about 5 rows. Now we could see the approaching floats and a sky full of beads in flight as those riding on the floats l them at the crowd.

Each float was uniquely decorated (painted mostly) this isn't the Rose parade! They were all named, and hauled between 20 and 40 bead throwers dressed in their party theme attire. As I raised my arm in self defense, I caught my first string of beads. Game on! The crowd was crazy but controlled and certainly friendly!

Baton Rouge (at least the downtown area) is very nice and very clean. It is True what they say about southern hospitality, we were invited to spend all day Sunday sightseeing with people we met.

For nearly 2 hours the frenzy continued. Many of the floats Were risqué but none were outrageous. I have never attended a parade with so much crowd participation. By the end Ruth and I were weighted down with who knows how many strings of beads. Even Melvin caught a set while posing for a picture.

Knowing the traffic would be a nightmare, we returned to our curbside seats and talked with our neighbors as the crowd began to dissipate. As we were discussing the need for Advil and a nap, I realized the crowd was comprised of the those 40 and younger. The only old farts there were those that had not seen a parade like this when they were 40 or younger.

Time to head back to the CG. It took 20 minutes to get downtown and nearly 2 hours to get back. Upon our return, Oscar was very happy to see us. We really hadn't intended to leave him alone for almost 7 hour. Although he managed to not relieve himself in Grace, he did his best to wreck the place. Oh well, not his fault. I took him for a walk (poop bag in hand) and returned to help Ruth finish cleaning up. In spite of all that, it was better than taking him with us. He would have been trampled by the crowd.