A happy Reveler in full headdress
Asheville got a jump on Fat Tuesday yesterday with a fabulous Mardis Gras Parade featuring wild glittery, feathery costumes, funky floats and a real Royal Wedding! King Hobbit and Queen Tamra, the king and queen of the procession actually did get married at a ceremony at Pack’s Tavern right before the parade and rode in full glory atop a wedding cake float through the streets of Asheville. A chilly drizzle didn’t put a damper on the party. Spirits were high and the colorful crazy costumes really highlighted how creative folks in Asheville are.
The King and Queen on their wedding float kiss to the crowd's delight
Many revelers formed “krewes” ahead of time along themes that inspired their costumes and several “krewes” participated, with everything from the Gypsy Bar Krewe and the Oo La La’s Bawdy Bridesmaids to the Wicked Geishas. The word krewe (pronounced “crew”) dates to the early 19th century according to the organizers’ website and has become the most common term for a New Orleans Carnival organization.
The Asheville Mardis Grasis an annual event hosted by an all volunteer “social aid and pleasure club”. Their aim is to be the southeast’s premier costuming event and they are well on their way. Several thousand spectators lined the parade route and the exuberance was contagious! The music and dancing wound from Wall Street to Battery Park, up Haywood and down Page Ave back to Battery Park and afterwards ended at the Pack Tavern for the Mardis Gras Ball featuring music by Snake Oil Medicine Show.
All sort of costumed people and creative props gathered to join the parade
Asheville definitely knows how to have good clean, irreverent fun! Join us next year for Mardis Gras in the Mountains!
See our gallery for more photos.
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