Mardi Gras with the Elks
We decided to ride as a family this year, to celebrate the rebirth of the city. So we jumped onboard at the last minute with the Elks, and documented some of the trip. We each threw thousands of beads, bouncy balls & stuffed animals. Despite the hype, Mardi Gras/Carnival is a very family friendly affair, complete with BBQs and lots and lots of tots. There are several cops on each corner, and bared body parts are strictly forbidden. It's only as you get down into the French Quarter with the tourists that you see that sort of thing.
Full to the gills. Plus the back seat, floor, and everywhere there was an inch of room.
Each person on the float has a slot, which includes 2 rows of hooks, one behind the other, a big open area for storage, plus in front of where you stand is all open shelving for easy access.
 
It's surprising how much preparation goes into these things, even before you get to the float. Once there, it still takes about 45 minutes to set things up the way you want them...
...we decided we wanted to go as a family, a sort of post-Katrina statement for the city, so we hooked up with the Elks and their simple, family-oriented truck floats. Far from the most technically elaborate, we still had a great time.
These smaller floats are loaded up away from the parade route, then drive in. Here we are, on the main highway, going about 50mph, about to go under an underpass, the beads as well as several riders (already!) swaying in the breeze.
Although many consider the truck floats to be not as good throwers as the main Krewes, we were definitely well stocked. Given what we do in the city, there's no way we would hear the end of it if we didn't have the good stuff!
Preparing for the day...or recovering from the night before, not sure which.
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