Southern Family Goes to Bacchus 2008

Do you know why so many people love living in New Orleans?  Because you feel like you are part of something special; part of something that the rest of the world is not privy to.  There are many reasons why this is, but one of the big ones is Mardi Gras.  Sure they celebrate in other areas, even in America, but no one does it like New Orleans.  When you hear Mardi Gras you just think, New Orleans.

It has been a long time since I have done the parade thing and when I did it, it was restricted to the Westbank parades.  Now, the Westbank parades are just as good as the Eastbank parades and much of the same thing goes on, but I have never been to any of the “big” parades.  I have only seen Rex and Zulu on TV, although we did have a Zulu coconut in the house for year, but that all changed yesterday.  Yesterday, I made a big effort to just sit back and enjoy the experience of parade watching, New Orleans style.  Plans are made ahead of time, there is tons of waiting and then the excitement slowly builds as you hear the sirens roll through and you get a glimpse of that first float moving ever so slowly toward you. 

I had many reservations about doing a parade, much less one of the big ones, with 2 small kids, especially my 2 small kids.  There is a lot of waiting where parades are concerned and my kids don’t take kindly to that much waiting.  The adults just take this time to shoot the shit and drink some beers.  I would venture to say that the waiting on a nice day for a parade might be the adults favorite thing to do.  Kids, on the other hand, need that instant gratification.  The wait, you might wonder, was only a mere 6 hours. 

I shouldn’t have worried so much, because all went pretty well.  There were a few tired kids, who would take turns passing out during the parade.  There were a few threatens of, “If you don’t stop that right now, we will stop this train of fun and go home!”, but all in all I think it is safe to say that the kids’ first real live Mardi Gras parade was a hit.  Although, Amber would tell you it was no better than her school parade where the floats are wagons and there are no marching bands.  I didn’t kill anyone or want to kill anyone.  Okay, that last bit isn’t totally true, on the way to the parade site, the traffic was pretty painful, but once George slid behind the wheel of our trusty Suburban all was well.  I really should rent him out.  George knows just about everyway to avoid traffic during major events in the city.  I knew there was a reason I kept him around.

I would love to show you pictures of Bacchus 2008, but I abused my camera too much on pre-parade photos that it wheezed and coughed itself to an untimely death as the parade started to roll.  However, I can show you the lowdown of how we spent those 6 not so long hours before Bacchus and the rewards of our endurance.

First, one must scout out a prime location.
You would think that waiting 6 hours in one location would guarantee it
for you all night, but look out for those hussies that try to move in by talking
to one of the males in the group.  They go for the males, because they know
the females would have told them, “Oh no honey, keep it moving!”.
Don’t worry, we are a pushy bunch and the females made sure the territory
remained ours for the night.

After waiting for a couple of hours and the kids getting a little antsy, one might want to walk around and see some sights:

You can’t tell me that you see this anywhere else?
Men on horns making the time go by while waiting for the bead throwin’ to commence.
This is a private residence, not a bar with ladies’ night and a one drink minimum.

Wait?!  Did we miss the parade?  Nah, that is just one of the smaller parades
that rolled throughout the day. 

That can’t be…?  Is it really some of the Centurians from Bacchus? 
Of course not, no self-respecting float rider would be roaming the streets drinking
before the parade rolls.  Although…the drunker the rider the more Made in China
crap they don’t realize they are throwing.  Bonus….we all win.

And remember, all wagon rides are free.  However, the beverage and binky
will cost ya.

Back at the old parade spot:

Where there are wigs to try out.

Ladders to test ride.

Bead catching outfits to perfect.

And Hummers to drool over.
No honey, you still can’t have one.
I do agree it would come in handy for the next big hurricane. 

Here is where I would show all the pictures of fantastic floats and booty shakin’ dance teams, flag girls, and marchin’ bands, if my camera wasn’t dead and I wasn’t focused on the prize:

That is right, folks.  I kicked the kids out of their wagon and loaded it down with beads.
Hey, they need their exercise, right?

Oh, the prize of every parade, the stuff toy. 
It is strange, I fought so hard for them, last night, even using my kids to get most of them.
But now, I would just like them to remove themselves from my floor.

We are now fully euipped for any drop in guest.
They may have their choice of Cajun China.
The ones on the right are clean, the ones on the left you drink
out of at your own risk.

We didn’t get much in the way of doubloons,because most of them fell into gutter water.
I like getting free loot, but not enough that I may have to get a shot, because of it, later.

I will admit that it was loads of fun and many of my worries were unfounded, but if the way we feel this morning is any indictation, we will be making only one parade each Mardi Gras season.  It is horrible to have a hangover when you haven’t had a drink.

Laissez bon temps rouler!