Archive for April 20th, 2010

Bead throwing is an art form in a Mardi Gras parade. As we went along the parade route, I looked down to find a new target (someone wanting beads) and saw my old friend John Randolph. John is the vice-chair of the substation committee. He was looking for beads when my gift arrived - I hope he was looking for beads. Heck he smiled and gave the thumbs up!!!

I was talking with my friend, Greg Reed. he was on the float with me. Greg had come to the parade directly from some event and had on a coat and tie. He was probably the only person riding our Mardi Gras float dressed that way. But in the Big Easy, everything is acceptable. There were a lot of ladies marching head of us with very little in the way of covering (sorry if you missed it, you missed it). I can’t post those photos, but I do have them. You might say at the end of the day, it all balanced out.

I tried to get photos of the folks on the float having fun too. Erich Gunther is really getting into the swing - literally. He has a good arm and hit quite a few bystanders . Or should I say delivered beads right to them?

The view from the top of a Mardi Gras float is great. We had people lining both side of the street. They were waving their hands at us to throw beads - and we did. Boy did we ever.

Yep, here we are on top of the first float. Pam wasn’t sure she wanted to be here. She puts up with a lot of strange things Gene gets involved with. Some how that crazy guy she is married to got invited to ride on one of the floats. I did pointed out to her that at least we didn’t have to walk!

It turned out to be lots of fun. We were surrounded by a bunch of old friends and we got to throw beads at people. One of the few times it is socially acceptable to throw things at people

When I spotted Tommy at the front of the parade, with his umbrella, I knew it was a good sign. We were almost ready to get this event moving! The police escort was in place. All the parade marchers were in place. The crowd was in place. It was TIME!

Tommy is in full flight all the time. He is our parade marshal. That requires him to be running from one end of the parade to the other (all the time). He sure loves his work. I have never seen him upset. He is always smiling and taking time with folks.

After a day wandering the exhibition floor and watching the construction, it was great to get outside for the big parade! PES had arranged for a marching band, 2 Mardi Gras floats, a street band, and tons of costumed Mardi Gras marchers. It was beyond words, but is sure was colorful.