Mardi Gras

bmoncada1 wrote: »

i want to go and give beads away...just saying

It's fun- celebrations are all over the Gulf Coast and other places, so it should be doable. In my area, we also throw food (moonpies- a cookie treat, ramen noodles).

wolverine66 wrote: »

i celebrate it all the time. I am fat tuesday, and fat wednesday and fat thursday and fat friday and fat saturday and fat sunday and fat monday....

all year long.

seriously, though - i'd like to go one time, just to do it, but i don't really care for hordes of drunk people.

Love it! I don't either ( referencing drunk people). There are ways that it's avoidable (talk to a local). Some places even have marked out sections for non-drinking.

chrisskellinton wrote: »

Capt_Apollo wrote: »

chrisskellinton wrote: »

Capt_Apollo wrote: »

it's October...

well if u wanted to go....and stay in the french quarter....with a good room u better have already made reservations........srsly.

i understand that. i've made vacation plans months ahead of time, and i've been to the french quarter multiple times.

just saying, it's still four months away.

well we aren't dealing with the smartest people in the world....I mean I wouldn't have made a thread until it was within a month of the said event but you know.

Yes, I'm quite sure you wouldn't, being a spectator. Forgive me, I've only been planning my mystic society's parade lineup since June of this year, the costume designs for 2016 since December 2013, etc. but carry on with the insults. Can't wait to see how smart you are.

husseycd wrote: »

I'm still gearing up for Halloween in NOLA (coming up!! Whoop-whoop!!), so haven't quite started thinking about Mardi Gras. However, I usually hit one of the early Mardi Gras parades, and have at least checked the date.

Mardi Gras is very close to my birthday this year, so maybe I'll skip KdV and head down. I have friends that live in Uptown and while I really prefer staying in between Marigny and the Quarter, I know there are plenty of the parades that aren't any where near Bourbon, which I can barely stand when it isn't busy anyway.

Right there with you, husseycd ! Thank you for replying in the spirit of the original posting. I grew up going to St. Patrick's Day with family who lived on Royale Street near the Gallier house. Sadly, they sold that property after Katrina.

bigdaddyincali wrote: »

I haven't been to Nola in 13 years I'll cook up some red beans and rice and maybe order a king cake (last time Gambino's left out my baby *grrr*)

yum- Red beans and rice.... I need to start making some. Love me some Gambino's king cake.

Kisuke30 wrote: »

Yeah, I'm excited to celebrate it. Red beans and rice, king cake, hand grenades... lol

yikes, how many calories are in Hand Grenades?!?!

Someone asked about what is Mardi Gras. It's got some celebrations all over the USA now, but it was the Boeuf Gras (think Carnivale) celebrations of the French and Spanish who settled here on the Gulf Coast that began it all. The first one in a "town" was held by the French in Ocean Springs, MS (later moved and became Biloxi) in 1699. (Yes, also in LA at Mardi Gras Point- but that was just a campground for the French, not a true settlement). Next was the then-capital in Mobile, Alabama in 1703. Finally, New Orleans which wasn't founded until 1718. The first societies were founded in Mobile in those early 1700's, and Cowbellions de Rakin members of Mobile helped Krewe of Comus in New Orleans get their start. Back then, there was a lot of back and forth between the two port cities due to the cotton brokerages- there still is today as well.

Traditionally, years ago, there were no parties during the mosquito season due to Yellow Fever. So we are just getting started because nothing has changed. I've got a ball the first week and last week of November (when the debutantes will be presented).

Weight- wise, Mardi Gras is really motivating to me. I know that I gained 10 lbs last year because I had to play a different part in my mystic society (or what some of you know as a Krewe ). Usually, I wear a short mini-skirted float/ball costume and I get in gear for that by doing a lot of running prior. Gets me motivated to make my old lady knees look better.

Although, in the meantime, I'm looking forward to Halloween. A few friends throw a massive party with a band in a downtown historic district, albeit it is not in New Orleans. I live in the 2nd city founded. It would be a great less expensive, first-time trip with a small city feel, especially if you aren't into too much crazy.