Children's Parade, New Orleans

Friday before Mardi Gras

Today is Lundi Gras, which means Fat Monday.  It's a big day on the New Orleans calendar.  Lundi Gras is the day that Rex is given the key to the city by the mayor because for the next 24 hours, Rex is in charge.  

There is no Fat Friday, though given enough time and a big enough marketing budget, I'm sure that someday Fat Sunday will be invented, along with Fat Saturday, and then, eventually, Fat Friday. My favorite parade happens the Friday before Mardi Gras.  It's the Children's Parade.

You won't read about it in guide books, but like so many things in this magical city, it happens nonetheless.  Schoolchildren roll down Esplanade Avenue.  It's nice.  It's good spirited.  There isn't a hint of rowdiness or drunkeness or debauchery.  It's good clean fun for everyone involved.  

John MacDonough cheerleader on Esplanade Avenue

The different neighborhood schools strut down Esplanade Avenue under police escort.  Nobody minds that traffic is stopped.  It isn't crowded.  On our block, it was just us, our guests, and a group of preschoolers from up the road who waited patiently in the park singing songs until the parade made its way to our block.  It was a beautiful morning.  "If you want to see a parade, clap your hands."  [clap! clap! clap!]

I don't know who this guy is

I don't know who this guy is, but he has his own krewe of children. His picture is on the banner that precedes them.  He cuts a striking figure.  I'd like to get to know him better.

The ages of the krewes that roll in this parade range from kindergarten to high school.  Did I mention how happy everyone is?  This is how traditions continue from cradle to grave.  The Children's Parade isn't for tourists.  It takes place because this is what people in New Orleans do during Mardi Gras.  They take to the streets and they hand out beads and they wish everyone a happy Mardi Gras Day.

In front of our house

Over the past few weeks, the marching band from McDonough High School has been marching though the neighborhood, practicing for Mardi Gras Day.  They were in the Children's Parade too.  It was nice to see them in uniform.

Proudly representing John Mac

Practice makes perfect.

That's the statue of Clio in the background

Clio is the Goddess of Peace and Genius of History that resides in Gayarre Place across from our house.  I'm not saying this because I'm a Wiccan or anything like that, it's just that's what the statue is called.  It's the only thing left over from the 1884 World's Fair.  

New Orleans is changing.  There is no denying it.  We live in an enormous urban laboratory.  The experiment is to determine how people can get along.  Tradition helps.  Mardi Gras is one of those traditions.  We are very fortunate to have Clio in our neighborhood, right across the street from where we live.

Statue on Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans

Thank Heaven for New Orleans.

A votre santé,
La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast.