Carnival Perspectives

One of the things I love most about Carnival is how it changes over time. Not so much the holiday itself, but the way we come to it.

A lifelong Louisianian, I’ve been celebrating Carnival since I was a baby and though the festivities have remained essentially the same all of this time — people dressing in costume, parades with marching bands and floats and throws, king cakes, balls, parties and more parties — my perspective of it all has changed.

When I say perspective, I mean figurative and literal perspective. My earliest memories are of watching parades from a bird’s eye view — a kid, sporting a polka dot satin clown costume from the high perch of a ladder seat, with dad on the step behind me, catching beads and doubloons that would come our way. Years later, front and center, walking down the middle of St. Charles Avenue as a too-cool high school student, more interested in checking out the people than the parade, I saw another angle. Later still, as a new mom, navigating the obstacle course of traffic, tents and people, I wrangled a stroller, an ice chest and a toddler to get situated. I don’t even believe I saw a single float, so laser-focused was I on my son, who could dart after a bouncy ball faster than I could blink.

In more recent years, right in the thick of it, I bedazzled myself like a sequined pink mermaid and met friends for St. Anne’s parade, hardly able to move among so many costumed, happy people, buzzing with Mardi Gras vibes. Last year, I had a more casual approach, wandering between the route and the house — up close and personal for a bit and then back to my friend’s house to curl up on the sofa, the faint sounds of St. Aug’s marching band drifting in through the window. After a lifetime of Carnivals, I love that when February rolls, the experience feels old and new at the same time.

It’s like a choose your own adventure. You can partake a little and go to your favorite parade or two or go all in and start getting that costume together the year before, glitter it to high heaven, have parties at your house and hit every parade your body will stay upright for. You can even opt out completely — your only nod to the festivities being that piece of cream cheese king cake you have with your coffee before heading to the airport to go on a skiing trip. And that maybe is what I love most about Mardi Gras — you can make of it what you will. Wherever you are, however you’re feeling, that’s how you’ll experience it.

Perspective is a wonderful thing. Whether it’s your first or 50th Carnival, it’s a time of joy, a celebration of culture and it captures the essence of the best things of your community and your city. It’s also a time for kingcake — have I mentioned that part yet?

Have a safe and happy Carnival season y’all!

Reine Dugas
Editor
Reine@Louisianalife.com