Saturday, February 6, 2016
The neighborhoods surrounding Decatur have a special love of Mardi Gras. I’m not sure whether it is because people from Louisiana have moved to those neighborhoods or because people who live there love to get dressed up and drink. Whatever the reason, hundreds of people marched down Mead Rd. to the sounds of big band and cheers on the first Saturday of February for the annual Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade.
The parade started at 4/5 Academy (or Fifth Avenue Elementary School whichever you prefer) and marched all the way to The Imperial where a post parade party with beer, games and live music entertained the crowd.
The parade is also a fundraiser for the Decatur Education Foundation and raised over $6,500 this year.
The Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade started at 4/5 Academy and ended at The Imperial with games, music, food and beer on Saturday.
Matt Smith (center) plays his saxophone during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Bo Emerson (center) plays his trumpet during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
John Staton (center) marches during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Jane Miller (center) and Kira Wilsterman march down Mead Rd. during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Milan Harris (left) holds her father Vincent’s hand as they march down Mead Rd. during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Grace Uihlein (right) and her husband Bill watch the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade pass by on Saturday.
Sadie Hearsch (left) plays her guitar as she marches during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Genia Cayce (right) and Kathy Hall march during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Dan Payne (left) tosses beads to the crowd during the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
The Aerials perform at the end of the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.
Max Tudoroff (right) races his aunt Kelly Stopp as he uses a straw to move a rubber duck after the Mead Rd. Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.