Let The Good Times Roll
Mardi Gras beads are a favorite catch during the Carnival season.
January 26, 2010 • written by Kayla Elston
Filed under featured, top story
South Louisiana is the place to be once Carnival season rolls around. Being one of the only places in the United States that celebrates Carnival, Louisiana is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet during the months of February and March. “Rolling good times,” senior, Candice Polen said of the Mardi Gras season.
In Slidell, where the tradition of Mardi Gras has been celebrated since nearly 1857, according to enotes.com, cars line the streets at the dawn of every Sunday waiting for a parade to roll around. Some brave souls even choose to bare through the usual Carnival bad weather and stake out their spot the Saturday night before. Children and adults alike, find joy in sharing the colorful parades, toys and beads thrown to them, and the food that goes along with Mardi Gras. Tailgating has become popular with people bringing out barbecue grills, boiled crawfish, and lots of cool refreshments to share with family and friends.
Mardi Gras has always been tied to southern Louisiana and New Orleans. It’s a cultural adventure celebrated by the parishes and towns in Louisiana. The biggest celebration takes place in New Orleans, bringing people together from around the world. One thing can be said during the Carnival season, “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!”
Quite a few of the high schoolers at Slidell High know all about the carnival season. A large amount of those students are members of Slidell High’s band. Waking up at early hours, members of the band arrive in the old CAC room to change their clothing and go over what music they will use. After a prayer, the students load into St. Tammany buses and head off to the parade route. “Its tiring but worth it,” Olivia McKnight said. This year, the band has learned five different songs to play during the parade.
Another side of the parade is that of the dance team. Arriving an hour and half before the parade, the dancers of Slidell High line up and get prepared for the oncoming adrenaline rush. Slidell High school is represented in most all of the parades in Slidell. Marching from Salmen High near Ponchartrain and ending by Hobby Lobby on Gause, the students put everything they have into the parade season. “It’s a lot of fun,” dancer and junior, Leah Reeb said.
Prepare for a good time this weekend, as the first parades of the Carnival season begins. Come out and celebrate the season of Carnival and let the good times roll!
Parade Schedule:
SUNDAY, January 24th:
Krewe of Slidellians
Slidell 1:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, January 30th:
Krewe of Bilge
Slidell 12:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, January 31st:
Krewe of Perseus
Slidell 1:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, February 5th
Mona Lisa & Moon Pie
Slidell 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, February 7th:
Krewe of Dionysus
Slidell 1:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, February 12th:
Krewe of Selene
Slidell 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, February 13th:
Krewe of Salt Bayou
Slidell 2:00 p.m.
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