Ah, if only I were so lucky with the lottery. The party has changed I got to reminiscing about this with a few folks during a recent visit to Louisiana. In other words, it's not for eighth-graders. This is the main image the Carnival season conveys today. But my friends in Louisiana also reminded me that we can still savor an old-fashioned family Mardi Gras.
Visitors are welcome to follow the horsemen.
Rather than gaudy purple, gold and green as in New Orleans, costumes here are made of old flour sacks to reflect the country ambience. In Lake Charles that same Sunday, more than 2,000 children are expected to gather for a parade, costume contest, face painting and games. Last year's kids parade included 27 floats with children throwing beads and doubloons to onlookers, just as King Harry did long ago. A children's parade is scheduled Feb. 25. Indeed, pooches are honored with separate parades, usually in conjunction with a local animal shelter.