My Mardi Gras season starts in 24 hours: Ask me anything!

[SacredCow]

Go ahead. Ask me. I triple-dog-dare ya!

[MountainLaurel]

1. As someone new to Mardi Gras

What supplies do I need? King cake, feather boa, throws?

[SacredCow]

3. All of those....

plus LOTS of liquor.

And warm clothes this year- looks like it might be a nippy one!

[MountainLaurel]

5. Liquor we have

In addition to a metric fuckload of beer left over from our Election Night party.

[SacredCow]

7. Beer is also appropriate....

the only "MUST have" in the liquor department is the fixings for bloody mary's...

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. If beads and boas are on your list...

http://www.beadsbythedozen.com/c-81-gay-pride.aspx

I've bought from this company before for the Seattle Pride festival. You can get throw beads for very cheap and the service is pretty good.

[SacredCow]

10. I've bought from them before....

I got mine locally this year, though- Just bought a case of one type, as my group usually gets together and does a "mix and match" thing.

[MountainLaurel]

11. Thanks for the tip! n/t

[SacredCow]

12. Did you just move to NOLA?

Your first Mardi Gras ought to be a hoot! I am not sure if I'm going to make it down there or not this year, but I was in the French Quarter for New Year's eve...

[MountainLaurel]

13. More or less

Got here in April last year.

[SacredCow]

16. Cool- well, welcome to the "neighborhood"

I hope you're settling in well. Even post-Katrina, NOLA is a fantastic city.

We need a NOLA meet-up!

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Already?

Ash Wednesday (in the Gregorian calendar) isn't until Feb 25 this year; I thought Mardi Gras started the Friday before.

[SacredCow]

4. That's correct....

but the season has already begun. The Krewe I'm in has it's ball this coming Saturday, so in less than 24 hours I will be in the midst of preparing my costume and table decorations. Not to mention finding my tuxedo.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. Ah, got it

I guess if you're in a krewe, you need to get started a bit earlier than most folks.

[SacredCow]

9. I've been working off and on since LAST year's Mardi Gras....

This is my last Ball, though- I've informed the governing board that I'm resigning. It's a krewe of gay men, and I don't want to deal with the drama and gossip-mills any more.

Next year, I'm going to REALLY enjoy Mardi Gras- No obligations or duties! Just show up and have fun!

edited for typos

[meegbear]

14. Are you dating? HMMMMM?

[SacredCow]

15. Define "dating"

:evilgrin:

[meegbear]

17. Oh I don't know ... holding hands, thinking pure thoughts ...

doing the nasty any and every chance you get.

[SacredCow]

18. Pure thoughts..... Hmmmmmm......

Nope- none of THAT going on! LOL

I'll plead the 5th on the other!

:spank:

[FreeState]

19. Is it as crazy as it seems? Never been - always wanted to go...

Are the straight parties wilder than the gay ones? Is there a public nudity sex issue - or do the police look the other way for the week? How does it compare to Fulsom Street Fair (if you have been)?

[Ex Lurker]

20. whatever you do, don't pee outdoors. Zero tolerance. Also, never, ever

argue with a cop. They don't play around.

[SacredCow]

21. Very good advice...

And don't show any "below the waist" naughty bits in attempts to get the good beads. At the end of the day, the beads are plastic, and if you are caught with your pants down you'll be hauled off.

[SacredCow]

22. I've not been to Folsom Street Fair...

But, of course, I've hit Southern Decadance a few times (which is often billed as the gay Mardi Gras).

I'd say SD and Mardi Gras are neck and neck for overall debauchery. Decadance is limited mostly to the French Quarter, but Mardi Gras is city-wide. During Mardi Gras, everywhere BUT the french quarter is family friendly, for the most part. In the quarter, it's quite a bit more risque. Of course, within the clubs (assuming you can get in) you can and will see anything and everything.

The police do NOT look the other way at either event. If you're caught having sex on the street, you'll go to jail. Women get 1 warning for breast flashing. Flashing below the waist will get you on a paddy wagon (you might go to jail, or you might sit in the wagon for several hours with a bunch of drunks).

[SacredCow]

23. Update...

Glad to have it all behind me!!!!! Some pics at the link below (my costume begins on page 41- I'm the one in the green!):

http://www.stacimahanphotography.com/gallery/7133977_XqTTq#P-1-16

[ThomCat]

24. That's an cool, pretty elaborate costume.

:)

[SacredCow]

25. Well, to be honest I had little to do with it.....

The seamstress that works for us made it, and my friend (the one portraying Dorothy) did the embellishment.

I did make the backpiece that the wicked witch is wearing, though.

:hi:

[Behind the Aegis]

26. Don't forget Barkus!

For all you dog lovers and owners, the best Mardi Gras parade, and the only one to actualy go through the French Quarter is Barkus! It is a parade of the dogs of NOLA. This year, it is the day after Valentine's day.

Check it out: Barkus

Voodoo highly recommends this event!

[SacredCow]

27. They have a similar one in Baton Rouge....

Mystic Krewe of Mutts, or something like that. The "king" and "queen" have to be rescues or adoptions from the pound or another local shelter, so it's a good opportunity for them to promote adoption of these animals, in lieu of buying a purebreed.

[MountainLaurel]

28. Trying to decide whether to participate

My two dogs don't do costumes, and while one of them would love seeing all the other dogs, the other is a bit more puppish around others.