It’s on the schedule of special events for February 23-28, and it’s the grandest and most colorful of all winter celebrations. The 26th edition of Mardi Gras in the Mountains theme, “Nightmare On Main Street,” will continue the tradition of packing a winter’s worth of fun, food and frivolity into six days of party, party, and more party, Red River style!
It all begins on Thursday evening with the Burning of the Loup-garou (photo above) – the legendary Wolfman of the swamps – in front of The Motherlode. Revelers and masquers are encouraged to write on a slip of paper all that bad juju that has befallen them in the last year and stuff it into the loup-garou. The ensuing flames will consume the wolfman as well as all the evil burdens in their lives, all gone up in smoke!
Then the celebration begins with a Cajun banquet inside the Motherlode, followed by the first Grand Ball of the Mardi Gras season! The fun continues with a ball every night and then Saturday at 4 pm the World’s Smallest But Most Fun Parade begins with a flourish of sirens and red lights, compliments of a patrol car from the Marshal’s Office and one of Red River’s beautiful shiny red fire trucks.
Not far behind is the first float of the day, reserved for the one, the only Rex, King of all the Mardi Gras! The word Rex means “King,” so to say “King Rex” is redundant and shows bad breeding. Refrain from such a faux pas and be humble in the presence of royalty.
The elected overseer is resplendent in royal cape and the golden crown befitting the head of one so exalted, for it is his (or her) sacred duty to see that our mountain Mardi Gras is a festival worthy of the time and effort of all high country visitors, not to mention the locals who spend their time, effort and money on throwing a great party.
For a moment, let’s talk about The Beads.
There will be beads tossed during the Parade. Lots and lots of beads. Cheap, gaudy and colorful plastic beads with symbols of Mardi Gras, just right for wearing around the neck and just right for collecting!
Beads are, in all respects, the most recognizable swag on the planet, defining Mardi Gras and the traditions of Fat Tuesday. Beads serve as a blatant reminder to all your friends back home that you went and did, hinting at the nature of the excitement and pure unadulterated fun, that was your trip to Mardi Gras in the Mountains!
A great way to attract beads is to say “Hey, throw me something, mister.” It’s a tradition straight from the narrow streets of New Orleans, spiritual home of Mardi Gras in the New World.
What else is going on, you ask? There are crawfish boils with corn and taters cooked in the Cajun tradition, contests and bead tossing – did I mention bead tossing – not to mention the annual Drink-Making showdown for Red River’s top mixologist – a grand production, and live music featuring Cajun and Zydeco music from some of the finest players from Louisiana and Northern New Mexico.
Don’t forget the Gator Plunge or the Children’s Parade & Bead Toss at the Red River Ski & Summer Area on Saturday, February 25, 2017 starting at noon.
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!