Mardi Gras: Feasts and fun in New Orleans

An Iowan's take on what makes Louisiana's parade season fun

It took one trip, and I was hooked.

When a group of about a dozen friends who attended college together decided to descend on Mardi Gras in New Orleans way back in the 1990s, the fun and festivities gave me a longing to visit every February — in most years, I made the trek down Interstate 55 from St. Louis to Louisiana.

But what keeps this Iowan coming back?

The parades that deliver metallic beads and a variety of goofy “throws” such as oversize plastic cigars, ornate hand-painted coconut shells and plush toys.

The French Quarter, the neighborhood where Bourbon Street moves to a raucous and risque beat… and where you can get beignets (French doughnuts buried until a mountain of powdered sugar) at Cafe’ Du Monde every day of the year.

The author at Mardi Gras during the Krewe of Isis parade. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Fine Louisiana cuisine such as jambalaya and gumbo that made stars of Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme.

Note: Enjoy this post as a freebie from the author. Consider it a lagniappe!

I’ve had the opportunity to introduce at least 10 Iowans to New Orleans’ version of Mardi Gras. Keep in mind that the season runs for more than a month, with parades reaching a frenzy on Fat Tuesday — the day before Ash Wednesday, when the Catholic-heavy population begins a Lenten fast.

Louisiana is not the only state with a Mardi Gras tradition. Parts of other Gulf Coast states share in the festivities. New Orleans has become the epicenter of the celebration, drawing tourists from across globe.

Floats line up for the Krewe of Iris parade. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Parades are my favorite part of Mardi Gras. Costumed riders are towed in floats along the winding routes through New Orleans neighborhoods (along with suburban parades). A frenzy occurs when the riders launch “throws” to people lined up along the streets.

Saturday’s Krewe of Iris, an all-female parade, featured thousands of ladies portraying examples of strong women… where else can you find Wonder Woman being celebrated with beads and trinkets?

The Krewe of Isis parade celebrates women in the male-dominated parade season. (Photo by John Naughton.)

The Krewe of Tucks, also riding through on Saturday, has an irreverant use of bathroom humor. Anyone get a toilet plunger decorated with glitter? Or witness the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile rolling through town?

Marching bands from high schools and colleges are a key part of the parades. They’re often the most disciplined and professional of the units on display.

The Krewe of Tucks celebrates bathroom humor at Mardi Gras, from plush poop emoji toys to toilet paper that ends up strewn in the trees. (Photo by John Naughton.)

I was pleased to see New Orleans’ George Washington Carver High School’s band performing in at least two parades during my visit Thursday-Saturday.

Carver, as you may know, attended Simpson and Iowa State, preparing him for a great career as a scientist and inventor.

The George Washington Carver marching band works its way through the Tucks parade route at Mardi Gras Satuday. (Photo by John Naughton.)

One of my favorite novelty marching units is the Laissez Boys, a group of individuals who ride motorized armchairs through the parades. Many are adorned with lamps, tables and cocktail-consuming riders. It’s a nice tongue in cheek addition that represents the non-serious side of Mardi Gras.

The Laissez Boys unit at Mardi Gras during the Krewe of Tucks parade. (Photo by John Naughton.)

I don’t have much to share from Bourbon Street this year, but I will say, it can be a place that is not for the faint of heart. The family-friendly parades are entertainment for all ages; Bourbon Street is spring break partying for (mostly) young adults.

And lastly, let’s discuss the food. A lot of my friends enjoy my dining adventures on Facebook. My travels to Mardi Gras always provide some tasty images.

The Acme Oyster House, which has its roots in more than a century of seafood served to locals and visitors alike, brought charbroiled oysters and a sampling of seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, smoked sausage on jambalaya.

Acme Oyster House is famous for seafood, including char-grilled oysters. (Photo by John Naughton.)

On Saturday, I visited the Broadview Seafood restaurant for a seafood boil that included crab legs, shrimp and crawfish. I ran through a dozen napkins as I wiped the spicy liquid off my fingers.

For those who want a similar taste, try Laughing Crab in West Des Moines.

Gulf seafood like crawfish, crab legs and giant shrimp are served at Broadview Seafood in New Orleans. (Photo by John Naughton.)

My favorite dessert in town is the beignets served at Cafe’ Du Monde in the French Quarter. The cafe is open every day of the year, serving hot, doughy pillows under a mantel of powder sugar. The menu is limited to drinks and beignets, but the specialization has brought back customers since the original coffee stand opened in 1862.

Served warm, the fresh beignets at Cafe’ Du Monde in the French Quarter are a must for many visitors. (Photo by John Naughton.)

I confess I take in a lot of “touristy” activities. But then… I am an Iowa tourist!

Note: Check out the other members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. A lot of voices that offer readers a variety of viewpoints.

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Columnists 

Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights

Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll

Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines

Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake

Suzanna de Baca Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley

Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County

Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji

Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames

Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines

Nik Heftman, The Seven Times, Los Angeles and Iowa

Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla

Dana James: New Black Iowa, Des Moines

Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo

Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames

Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey

Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa

Kurt Meyer, Showing Up, St. Ansgar

Kyle Munson, Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines

Jane Nguyen, The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines

John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines

Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines

Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains, Washington, D.C.