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photo by Hannah Reel
Participants on the Krewe of Mayhem float mingle before the start of the Mystical Krewe of Alpheus Mardi Gras parade downtown Friday night.
Mardi Gras parade relieves the ‘winter blahs’
Published Saturday, February 6, 2010
NATCHEZ — As Eddie Ray put it, Friday night was a chance for the Miss-Lou to relieve the “winter blahs.”
Ray was the Grand Marshal for the Krewe of Alpheus’ 2010 Mardi Gras Parade. Even though the night’s sky was gray, Ray was still in cheerful spirits about the parade because the rain held off for the Mystic Krewe.
“A lot of people consider Natchez a little New Orleans, so it is an honor to bring that spirit here,” Ray said. “The theme for the parade is ‘the games people play,’ and everyone is going to play tonight.”
King Alpheus XIX, better known as Stan Owens, dressed up in wizard robes with a Fleur de Lis on his cape for the king’s float.
“I do this for the fun and the people,” he said. “We like to get here early for the fellowship,” he said.
Mary Kay Doherty, also known as Queen Arethusa XIX, said that she loves the Krewe of Alpheus.
“They are great people, and a lot of fun — all of these people are my extended family,” she said. “And we started a night parade to do something different.”
“The lights make it,” Owens added. “It is just much better.”
Fifteen floats rolled Friday night, from the Queen’s castle shaped float the Queen of Hearts to the Krewe of Fat Mama’s, which featured a lady riding a donkey like the restaurant’s logo, and many floats representing the New Orleans Saints.
“It is all about the Saints,” Ty Hutchins said after the parade had passed him on Main Street.
Jo Ann Bourgeois came from New Orleans and said she’d do it again next year.
“It was good, clean, fun,” she said.
Patti Jenkins agreed the parade was a lot of fun.
“There were a lot of people, everyone laughing and hollering ‘throw me something,” Jenkins said. “And they paid a lot of attention to the kids.”
Mary Katherine Mascagni, 11, goes to most of the parades in the area for the excitement of seeing the floats and catching beads, so she can add them to her bead collection.
“I have a bunch of beads at my grandma’s house,” she said.
Mascagni was loaded down with more than 50 beads and was running in the streets for more after the parade had passed.
“I love Mardi Gras,” she said. “I love feeling like I’m in New Orleans.”
Doherty also invited the Miss-Lou to the Krewe of Alpheus’ public ball tonight at the Natchez Community Center. Tickets for the ball are $35, available at the door.
Comments
Posted by HillsideManor (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the Krewe of Mayhem had the best float yesterday...the float looked great and they all seemed to be having a good time! Keep up the good work!
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the open container law was not in effect for the parade.
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, Alpheus has shrunk since I was a member...Eighteen entries? Although small now, I'm sure the floats were beautiful, that's always been the draw for this parade.
Posted by Js_Mommy (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I was younger, the parades were about having a "family friendly" event in Natchez. Not trying to be a "little New Orleans." Some of the floats had people that could not even focus their eyes on who they were throwing things at because the people were so intoxicated. Everyone knows that some of the crews are there to have a party (get drunk) but I was very disappointed that they did not seem to care anymore if it was openly known by all that they were drinking. What did happen to our open container laws last night???
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"flowerpower" & "js_mommy".... the open container law is lifted for special events. Drinking is as big a part of Mardi Gras as beads, costumes and commraderie. The law is also lifted for Balloon Race and any other festivities downtown. It usually is in effect from about 2 hours before and after the event. I personally don't drink, but don't judge those who do.
Posted by elizabeth (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Mardi Gras is a New Orleans thing. NO one did any thing VULGAR at all. There was drinking but NO one got stupid they were just having a good time. So anyway I think some of the people who are complaining should have a drink for the next parade and just relax a little. It about the FUN!!! Also, I think everyone was a little more excited this year because the Saint's are going to win the Super Bowl!!!!
WHO DAT!!!! Also, I'm a member and was riding on the Crew of Rowdy Friends float .You might be a REDNECK if ? If your tire fall off your float half way through the parade. HAHAHA!!!!
Posted by bigdaddy101 (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People drinking in these parades isn't nothing new. It's simple if you don't like it, don't go! I thought everyone had a good time and no one got stupid and no one got hurt. What's the harm?
Posted by squeetlebomb (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the parade was great it just went by too fast and wasn't long enough. If you don't want to see people having a good time drinking or not then don't pop your head out of your house until Mardi Gras is over.
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