Everyone who’s met me knows that I have little bit of an obsession with Mardi Gras.
When I moved to Louisiana, I discovered that the perception I had built up of the bayou state, based on shows like Duck Dynasty and the movie The Princess and the Frog, was actually pretty accurate. I was surprised to find out that people in the South really boiled crawfish every year, cooked big pots of gumbo, and had at least once seen a gator in the wild. I almost instantly fell in love with Louisiana life and decided in the 8th grade that I wanted to spend the rest of my life here.
The aspect of Louisiana culture I was most excited to take part in was Mardi Gras season. Something I had only seen on TV before, over-the-top floats with costumed people tossing beads and other eccentric throws into the crowd. I absolutely love when Christmas ends and instead of a post-holiday slump, we parade straight into the most festive time of the year. There is no gray stretch in Louisiana. All throughout the year we party, from parades to festivals, there’s always something to celebrate.
I grew up thinking that Mardi Gras was primarily celebrated in New Orleans, as a singular event. But the carnival season turns every street into a moving party where everyone is invited. I love seeing the boutiques in Ruston decorated in purple, green and gold. Each restaurant and coffee shop offers a special dessert or drink for the season. Don’t’ even get me started on the King Cake. The local bakeries near my house trade out the cupcakes for King Cakes of every flavor. I make it a goal to try as many kinds as possible each year.
I think part of the reason I love Mardi Gras so much is that I didn’t have it as a kid, and so it’s a little more unique to me than the other holidays. Mardi Gras brings out a sense of pride from people for their Louisiana culture. Each person, big parade goers or casual collectors, has a stash of special beads and throws somewhere around their house that they just can’t let go of. And whether you’re a fan of jazz or not, dancing in the streets is basically a requirement when the marching bands come through. There is something so special about the blending of so many cultures to create a holiday expressing joy and tradition.
So, when I walk through Downtown Ruston, smelling the aroma of Cajun cooking drifting down the street or see the sequined and feathered jackets on the racks outside of the boutiques, I smile. I delight in knowing that my state and my town have a not-so-secret celebration that we only share with each other. A loud, bright and glittery season where everyone wears the heart of Louisiana on our sleeves.
