Historical connection between Mardi Gras and Native Americans?
All I could think was "Indulge now!"
And they did, believe me. Friday night I strolled down beautiful Palafox — it's going to be a bummer when the Christmas lights come down — to take in the kaleidoscope of vivid colors, scents, tastes and sounds that trumpet the beginning of the sin season, Mardi Gras.
A religious tradition, Mardi Gras begins after the feast of the Epiphany and ends the day before Ash Wednesday, which brings in the somber season of sacrifice that is Lent.
But before we voluntarily deprive ourselves of everything awesome and cool in preparation for Lent, then Easter, we unbuckle our Bible belt and just Laissez les bons temps rouler. Yes, Mardi Gras is so decadent that we all start speaking French. And dressing like pirates and dandies.
Oft-closed road leads to pristine history
So with the promise of severe deprivation just around the calendar corner, we feast, we party. Friday's kick-off party was graciously sponsored by Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. (Little known fact: Native Americans invented Mardi Gras and introduced it to the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving in 1776. Then the French stole it and brought the tradition to Louisiana during the Battle of New Orleans, which was almost single-handedly won by Gen. Johnny Horton. It's good to know things!)
The Friday party was basically a confused parade. All the krewe floats parked in the middle of Palafox and stayed there while the people walked by and tried to catch traditional trinkets — beads, Moon Pies, etc. — with the hands they weren't holding their drinks in.
Most of the krewes were there, including maybe my favorite: the pink-domed Ya-Ya ladies, who, despite their revelry are very serious about battling breast cancer. They annually raise $50,000 to $60,000 each year to fight the disease. Party on ladies! You rock.
Most of the krewes are good deed-doers, donating time and money to area charities and non-profits. Krewe of Blues; Krewe of Sirens; Krewe of Jesters; the swashbuckling elder-statesmen Krewe of Lafitte and more than two dozen other krewes all might like to party, but they also do plenty to strengthen our community. You might not be able to guess that when they're sloshed and wearing pajamas or genie costumes, but, like the Byrds,sang, "To everything there is a season..." (Little known fact: "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds was a cover of song written and first performed by a 1950s skiffle group called Ecclesiastes.)
Christ Church's Currin died early Thursday
Because of a calendar mix-up, Mardi Gras is shortened this year, only going until Fat Tuesday — Feb. 9. Don't fret. If you missed Friday's kick-off — thanks Poarch Creek Indians! — there are still plenty of chances to get your King Cakes,beads and let the good times rouler.
Every krewe has some kind of event coming up — ball, Moon Pie Party, breakfast, etc. We'd love for you to check out all the Pensacola Mardi shindigs and happenings, and get all your need-to-know info at http://www.pnj.com/mardi-gras/. But I feel morally obligated to let you know you can also find out plenty of good stuff at http://pensacolamardigras.com/.
And keep checking out this column for more illuminating history. (Little known fact: Native Americans also gave us pudding, stuffing and the phrase "Up your nose with a rubber hose,'' which wasn't discovered by European settlers until the 1970s, The knee-slapping put-down became widely popular, yet soon fell out of favor, though it is now due for a resurgence. Remember my motto: "It's good to know things!")