These snaps (and all of the hundreds of others you've posted) sort of say it all!!!! What an amazing weekend. David and I don't know where to begin to thank everyone who has supported MRMG and who came to enjoy the parade and parties. And Mother Nature gets a shout out also for keeping this beautiful this weekend. Please check out the snaps on DecaturMetro, Decaturish, Next Stop....Decatur, they're amazing as well as the snaps shared on our FB page. And a HUGE THANK YOU To Robert and the team at The Imperial and all of our sponsors: The Decatur Education Foundation, Queen Deb Baumgartner, Big Chief, Dr. David Dude, Oahkhurst Neighborhood Association, Revival, Louisiana Bistro, Ted's Montana Grill, A Splash of Olive, Butter and Cream, The U-Joint, Halo Hair Salon, Help2o, Heger Imaging, Fred Martin Welding, M Cary & Daughters, Wahoo Wine and Provisions, JAX Accordion Shop, Intown Ace Hardware, Revolution Donuts, SplendidVid and Little Shop of Stories. Planning has already begun for MRMG 2017!
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Here is some history on the cool event.
A Mardi Gras tradition with a Georgia twist!!"Throw me something, Mister!"
If you think that is something you'll only hear in New Orleans, think again!!Oakhurst has quietly been establishing its own Mardi Gras tradition for almost 10 years.
It all began in 2005 when our oldest son began kindergarten. That huge moment in Billy's life sounded alarm bells for us, as we realized that for the first time since the 1980's I wouldn't be trekking to New Orleans to celebrate my high holiday.
So in the interest of familial harmony, David suggested starting our own parade for the kids. He built a papier mache float on top of the radio flyer wagon. Billy, his brother Tommy and their friends painted the float.
On that Tuesday, February 8 2005, the kids dressed up in their Halloween best and Dave and I put on our Mardi Gras finest. A few of our neighbors and their kids joined us as we walked up and down our street, throwing beads and loudly singing Fess.
And it ROCKED!
Over the years, our little parade has grown from one wagon/float with a few kids and adults to a multi-wagon/float extravaganza with lots of kids and our own homegrown brass band. Imagine trying to teach a bunch Georgia peaches the Mardi Gras standards without sheet music! We aim high!!!!
And now it's time for us to take our Mardi Gras celebrations to the next level.
This year we're officially launching "Mead Road Mardi Gras". Anyone with a love of carnival, costumes, floats, music, parades, beads, red beans and rice and anything else you can imagine, is invited to come join us!!!
Saturday March 1st, or Samedi Gras, is the date! The parade begins at Harmony park at 3pm. We'll march up Mead Road to the Imperial, at the corner of Mead and East College, for the party. And the party will go on for as long as people are there to celebrate.
Beads will be provided and the Imperial will sell red beans and rice and beer. Proceeds will go to the Decatur Education Foundation to support the band programs at Decatur High School, Renfroe Middle School and the 5th Avenue 4/5 Academy.
For more information or if you would like to donate anything, please contact:
Emily Kean Berg
keanberg.emily91@gmail.com
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