The Shield gets a bead on a family-friendly parade to commemorate the last days before Lent in Lousiana
A man throws Mardi Gras beads high in the air into a group of many people who jumped and down excitedly to capture the man’s attention. As he threw the beads high in the sky, one person in the crowd said about Mardi Gras: “It is just a blast here today everyone comes here in town, and there is never a single sad face here. It is just amazing and get free stuff.” Many of the floats resembled party busses and were decorated in gold, purple and green, the Mardi Gras colors. Photo by Jack Hester.
Jack Hester, Mac Photojournalism
February 13, 2018
Photojournalism student Jack Hester attended a Mardi Gras parade in Lafayette Parish, La., on Saturday, Feb. 3. The small city of Carencro hosted the traditional Mardi Gras parade. Hundreds came to the parade to celebrate the holiday. People on floats tossed beads or another items, and people along the parade route tried to catch as many beads as they could. The intermittent rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those who attended.
In our latest #Tuesday Top 10, which coincides with Fat Tuesday celebrations all over Louisiana and the nation, Hester takes you on a virtual tour of the parade in Lafayette Parish.
Up for Grabs
A man throws Mardi Gras beads high in the air into a group of many people who jumped and down excitedly to capture the man's attention. As he threw the beads high in the sky, one person in the crowd said about Mardi Gras: "It is just a blast here today everyone comes here in town, and there is never a single sad face here. It is just amazing and get free stuff." Many of the floats resembled party buses and were decorated in gold, purple and green, the Mardi Gras colors. Photo by Jack Hester.
The Princess of the Parade
While this little girl said this year was her second year to attend the Mardi Gras parade in Lafayette, her dad said that they come here every year and that each year the parade just gets better and better. He also said that despite how fun the parade is, you should still be very careful you to look up all time because if you don't you will get hit pretty hard by beads thrown in your direction. Photo by Jack Hester.
You Can Dance if You Want To
A girl dances enthusiastically and waves while asking for some beads. The prolonged effort paid off in the end as she received the beats she coveted. People on the parade floats threw items other than beads as well: little plastic cups, stuffed animals and even Ramen noodles. "People are starting to get creative and throwing different kind of stuff," she said. She added the other items were cool but that she would prefer the regular beads. Photo by Jack Hester.
Don't Rain on Our Parade
Despite intermittent rain, the streets of downtown Lafayette were lined with people celebrating Mardis Gras. The rain did not affect dampen attendance or enthusiasm. Photo by Jack Hester.
The need for bead
The riders of a Mardis Gras float look for candidates who have earned their beads by capturing their attention. Photo by Jack Hester.
Eyes on the prizes
Austin resident Kate Hester is in the perfect position to catch beads tossed by the riders of a Mardis Gras float. Photo by Jack Hester.
A Basket Case
Some people came to the parade ready to claim a huge haul of beads. Some inverted umbrellas to collect beads; other brought laundry baskets for that purpose. Photo by Jack Hester.
You Can't Bead This
Riders on some floats tossed more than beads. The folks on this float tossed cups, stuffed animals and even Ramen noodles. The float had a deejay too. Photo by Jack Hester.
Hit the Target
An outstretched hand anticipates the potential arrival of much coveted Mardis Gras beads. Photo by Jack Hester.
Street Cred
A black pickup truck pulls a float down the street lined with observers trying to stay dry while simultaneously attracting the attention of bead-throwing parade riders. Photo by Jack Hester.