FAT TUESDAY
Mardi Gras does not really belong to New Orleans. Well, okay, maybe it does – but it also belongs to Mobile, Alabama. The first one was held in Mobile in 1703 (before New Orleans!). Unlike the Big Easy’s celebration, the one over here is dedicated to the “family.” Sorry guys, there aren’t any bared breasts. But there IS candy, and beads, and lots and lots of moonpies! For two and half weeks, folks flock downtown and line the streets. You have to check the map, ‘cause there are several different routes, and more than one parade can be rolling at the same time.
Talk about a rollicking good time! The first parade I went to I was unarmed. I mean, I was totally unprepared. Of course I expected the beads. I even figured that candy might come my way. But isn’t that for the kids? Maybe so, back home in Denver. Not so, here. It seemed that every man, woman, and child around me had at least one plastic grocery bag – with another two or three tucked away in a pocket.
As the parade drew closer people started yelling and waving. Some had big signs – the kind people wave on the Today Show. The roar grew, and Dixieland jazz joined in. Wow! What a wild excitement permeated the crowd. I pressed against the barrier as everyone’s enthusiasm grew. Suddenly the bags emerged and hands went up. The float approached and masked men flung gobs of beads, and handfuls of candy. Suddenly a moonpie flew past me, snagged out of the air just by my ear. But it didn’t stop there! Was that a Pringle’s can? And then a pack of ramen soup landed at my feet. The revelers were throwing food. Amazing! Then the stuffed toys came out. Giant ones and small.
Epiphany. The louder you roar, wave, or catch attention with your own costume, crazy hat, or sign – then the more stuff you’ll get. It’s all about the eyes. If you can catch a reveler’s attention, and he gives you that look – the one that connects his eyes to yours – then watch out . . . grab your grocery sack and get ready to catch!
Happy Day!
Mad
