by "TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
Published 02/26/2017 at 21:04
by "TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
Published 02/26/2017 at 21:04
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STARS: 1
My sister-in-law came into town for the first time in years, so we thought it would be a good idea to take her to her her first Mardi Gras parade. On the way down to New Orleans, we heard some bad news about the Endymion parade last night. Some drunk bastard drove through the crowd, injuring 28, 12 critically.
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We decided that our usual spot should be safe enough since the entire road is closed. Our usual area is in a residential zone and is family-oriented. By selecting the Sunday morning parade, we miss most of the drunk and rowdy partygoers. Heck, our parade buddies are a couple of little old ladies who live right on the parade route.
This year, a bunch of college jackasses invaded the area. For those who’ve never been, it’s a public space and its first-come, first serve. You aren’t allowed to block off a large area to save the space for others. If they aren’t there, it’s fair game. These jackholes set up two canopies with a long line of chairs at the curb and a couple of tarps on the ground. They even had a ratty old couch there which the ladies said they had been sleeping on since last Wednesday.
The ladies were already sitting behind the college boys, so we set up our chairs right next to the ladies. That’s when several of the boys decided to inform us that we weren’t welcome and they were going to fill the area with “150 to 200" of their friends. They would have been lucky to fit 50 of their friends in the space they had blocked off. I told them that we would be fine.
Another couple of families decided that empty spaces should be filled and put themselves right in the middle of the college encampment, between the two pop-up canopies. It was hilarious to watch the boys get all riled up over the unwelcome guests in “their” space.
Apparently, one of the boys was supposed to be their security guard and keep outsiders out. When he couldn’t convince anyone to leave, one of the others turned on him and we witnessed the beginning of a good old-fashioned street fight.
Cooler heads prevailed and broke up the fight before it got really good. That’s about the time my wife decided it was time to cut our losses and get out of town.
So, this year was a bust. We didn’t get to see much of a parade. If this is how it’s going to be going forward, we may just skip Mardi Gras from now on. I, for one, won’t miss it at all.
"Old Red Wagon" (wr10)
02/26/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 0
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras but it looks like hell to me. I don’t like crowds and I rarely drink so when I see it on TV I cringe. I’ve never understood the allure but of course to each their own.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/26/2017 at 21:58, STARS: 0
I’m not a fan of crowds and we don’t drink more than one at a sitting. My wife doesn’t mind the crowd and loves the parade. Since I love her and I don’t feel it’s safe for her and the kids to go without me, I put on my brace face and join in.
That’s what really sucked this year. We were forced to the back and the college boys were standing on chairs, making it almost impossible to see the parade.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/26/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0
It’s a shame how a group of people can ruin the whole thing for everyone else around them. That’s pretty much why my wife and I haven’t gone down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. We had a parade up here during the day two weekends ago and it went fine. Of course ours isn’t as big as the ones that go on down on the coast, much less in LA, but it’s enough for families to enjoy.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/26/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 0
My first exposure was in Galveston. Much, much smaller and I still had more than enough for a lifetime.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/26/2017 at 22:47, STARS: 0
Galveston is a neat little town. They had a cool railroad museum there and a working trolley for the downtown area last time I was there. I haven’t been in several years, though, so I don’t know if either are still there.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/26/2017 at 22:51, STARS: 1
I was there long before the trolley. I watched as the moody garden pyramid was built. A friend of mine was involved in stocking and caring for the aquariums, so I had access during construction. I’m one of the few people who has been on the catwalk at the very top. :)
"Danger" (dangerray)
02/27/2017 at 00:20, STARS: 0
I was working in NO/Belle Chasse last week and coupled with the All Star game, that was enough of a party for me. I got to see a small parade and do a mellow version of Mardi Gras. Maybe I’ll go all in one year.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/27/2017 at 06:13, STARS: 1
It’s something everyone should do once. The parades and the pageantry are neat, but too many people use it as an excuse to get drunk and misbehave.