Mardi Gras Grinch

**dcompton** · 02-17-2007, 07:24 PM

This is just a grinchy vent. This is not a time of the year I like being in Lousiana. Thank goodness it's only Shreveport, and not New Orleans! I planned a lovely expedition to Joann's before coming in to work late this afternoon. Had looked forward to it. My February Fun Day. I made a stop or two, and then saw, to my horror, a guy pushing a cart full of glittery Mardi Gras stuff. Oh, no! The (blankety-blank-blank) Mardi Gras parade (one of many). I had forgotten all about it. It goes so near the shopping center with the Joann's that all the streets are blocked off. If I even got there, I would be trapped for hours. I was in the public library and asked the security guard, and she confirmed it -- yes, all the streets would be blocked within the hour (around the library too). Scratch Joann's. I later read they were expecting around 300,000 people on the route. I want to be far, far away from that.

Even worse, I ended up just coming to work almost an hour early because there was really nothing else I needed to do on this side of town, at least not anything I could get to. But I decided I should be a grown up about this, and get over my snit. I could go tomorrow before work. Then I looked at the paper and saw that there will be an early afternoon neighborhood parade that will probably block the route between Joann's and where I work. I'm off Monday and could go then, but I really, really, didn't want to get out Monday. I planned a nice day of sewing -- all the stuff I was going to get today!

Grinch, grinch, grinch. I say keep Mardi Gras in New Orleans where it belongs!
Ok, end of snit. I just had to gripe to someone. And it could be worse. The first year they used that route, a friend of mine got ready to leave home and found both ends of her street barricaded, and the police unbudging about letting her out. She's a professional pianist and was due to play a concert. Finally, after much arguing, and somehow proving it was legit they very grudgingly let her through. I'll bet she pounded the keys that night!

However, I will give the city credit for one thing. I saw that this year they have designated a portion of the route as an alcohol-free family area. The squabbles past years over whether Mardi Gras parades are for families or free-for-all "adult" brouhaha's and no place for children have been a hoot. Especially the year some of the floats tossed condoms to the crowd - a social experiment that was not repeated. Shreveport was definitely not ready for that and made it Quite Clear to the Krewes in the days and weeks (and it seemed like months) following the parade.

**kaykwilts** · 02-17-2007, 07:32 PM

You're in Shreveport? I'm in Ruston about 60 miles from you. We don't have any kind of Madri Gras Celebration in this town. Over in Monroe which is 30 miles the other direction they have the Krew of Janus Parade and I think it is pretty hectic over there then. I've never been over there when they have that parade and don't plan to be.

**Marie78** · 02-17-2007, 07:34 PM

I'm sorry, I wouldn't be happy either to be blocked in or out of where I needed to go because of Mardi Gras. I have often wondered how people who lived near that were able to function. I guess not very well.

**kabin63** · 02-17-2007, 07:58 PM

I have cousins in the New Orleans area... Harahan and Metairie. I have not been there yet, but I know they would like for me to come down for Mardi Gras...don't tell them I don't really want to go...LOL

**AheeK** · 02-17-2007, 08:11 PM

How is Mardi Gras fitting in with the rebuilding in New Orleans? I heard that much of the city is still in ruins from Katrina....has that affected the attendance at Mardi Gras?

I'm sorry that it messed up your plans...when I lived in Edmonton, I used to schedule every excursion to fit at the lowest rush times. I never, ever went anywhere during peak hours. I can't believe they barricade the streets like that....what if there was an emergency and you had to get out immediately? I hope that everything you wanted at Joann's is on sale when you get there!

**dcompton** · 02-17-2007, 08:57 PM

Kay, I've long since noticed you're my down-the-road neighbor. No Mardi Gras in Ruston? Count your blessings.

To other replies -- I don't know how they handle emergency calls in the parade area. It must be a real headache. I also don't really know anything about Mardi Gras in New Orleans after Katrina, except that they do hold it -- but I would think on a much smaller scale. The city surely couldn't have the infrastructure left to handle a huge crowd of tourists and so many of the residents are gone too. Someone who lives closer to the area than I do would probably know more. I'm at the opposite end of the state.

I'm over my temper, and I guess I'm glad that 300,000 people are out there having fun tonight, though nothing would induce me to join them. I was just cranky because it interfered with the fun I had planned for myself today. Joann's will still be there Monday, and since I didn't know exactly what fabric I wanted, I won't know if it's gone and I missed it, right?

**bumplett** · 02-18-2007, 12:07 AM

if nothing else, I'm happy to hear that they still hold the parades & such in New Orleans - the more they continue to do to keep the tourists coming in, the faster they can heal.

as for parades & such in outer cities - I had no idea they did that - I get ticked when we have small scale parades that block the streets - I couldn't imagine dealing with it on a larger scale! ugg! --- but I'm also a person that can't stand parades!! (so don't feel bad, you're not the only grinch!)