Start to Finish
Published 5:00 am Sunday, February 12, 2017
- Resting after the ride.
Bird’s eye view of the first Bayou Mardi Gras Association Parade
Trending
Ride along as a guest on the Bayou Mardi Gras Association float No. 2. Thanks to last-minute accommodations, The Daily Iberian Teche Life editor was able to take a ride down Main Street to share all the sights rarely seen by even float riders. They are far too busy tossing trinkets and beads to enjoy the view of the crowds along the parade route.
Snapshots From the Top
Thanks to Michael Wattigny and Norris International Services, the following commentary are thoughts that came to mind while riding and again reviewing nearly 500 digital images of the ride.
Before the camera rolled, the reporter for a local TV news station was seen dancing to the Mardi Gras sounds of the music playing from the floats.
Sprinkled through the bare tree branches of City Park the lighted floats waited for their turn to start rolling.
All along Parkview, neighbors waved as the floats moved out to join the thread of bands and special vehicles assigned to the parade. No tossing beads until the official start.
Trending
Deputies lined the route waving as they directed traffic and the float drivers when it was their turn to make the next move.
Youth on lighted boards readied to head down the one-way street to follow the floats not knowing that in a short distance, the crowd would be too thick to stay on the sidewalk.
The passengers on top of the Iberia Parish Fire District No. 1 ladder truck were catching instead of throwing as they waited on the side of the road for Parish President Larry Richard to arrive.
Wess Robison, one of the organizers, made his way along the waiting float line smiling from ear to ear and taking pictures with his phone.
Michael Wattingy was spotted as well walking next to a parade worker dressed in a brightly lit reflector safety vest.
Pat Norris, though barely visible, was busy throwing from the front position of float No. 2 sponsored by Norris International Services, the host for this bird’s-eye view report.
Houses and businesses along the route were decorated and many hosted parade parties — some people sat quietly in the background and watched while others lined the street yelling and waving for trinkets and beads to be thrown their way.
Movement at times rocked the wooden construction of the float so that focusing became impossible but made for monumental abstract exposures.
Moms, dads and grandparents watched as their children vied for throws — often pointing out a child in their arms hoping to entice the revelers to throw a stuffed animal or ball the child’s way.
Teasing the crowd, the masked float riders prepared for their aim pacing themselves to make sure they spread the treasures throughout the parade route.
Costumed parade walkers engaged the onlookers as they made their way through the crowds along Main Street and into the backside of City Park.
Old and young watched as all ages captured cups, beads and stuffed animals.
Some residents expected big catches and brought the fishing nets with long poles while others used laundry baskets with signs that added to the target.
Signs said, “…first Mardi Gras,” “It’s my birthday!” and, it also was Ricky Gonsoulin’s 50th — riding in a parade was a great way to celebrate.
Pickup truck beds, sidewalk or balcony and handmade viewing stands gave parade-goers ways to sit, rise above the crowd and collect trinkets.
Historic Main Street homes were lit inviting friends and family members to enjoy the parade with a respite nearby.
Proud parents and families watched as their loved ones rode by — some knowing all too well how much work went into the 90- minute ride.
A great many people were shooting pictures with phones capturing the floats and revelers as they passed by.
Costumes were worn by the parade participants and viewers, too.
Not everyone is a camera ham when it’s pointed their way — but most proved to be. Selfies were snapped throughout the crowd.
Block after block, the crowds lingered on as hooks emptied into the crowd of raised hands.
Dancing in the streets and on top of the floats captured the beat blasted from amplified rolling grandstands.
As the rolling revelry turned the corner off Main onto Indest crossing the Bayou Teche, the crowds continued but lessened the closer the floats got to home base, City Park.
Across the Bayou Teche on Front Street, the parade continued — experiencing the same anticipated gaiety enjoyed by the riders only moments before.
All were smiling on the last block of Maria before the floats entered the back of City Park, hooks and bins emptied as the rolling party moved on to its final destination.
New Beginnings
Grand Marshal Andy Soileau was all smiles walking next to floats after the parade.
“I think this is the largest parade we’ve ever had. It’s fabulous,” said Soileau. “I think the people really wanted to come out. There were more people out there and you know what, I enjoyed walking down here (only) one time to my truck.”
Soileau said as an organizer the number of trips up and down the parade staging area were countless in years past. It was so awesome not being in that position, he said.
Timothy Clark and friends grabbed a burger at McDonald’s after the parade. It was his first day in New Iberia. After six years he has returned to the Teche Area thanks to his job at Dollar General.
Clark has marched in a number of parades and particularly likes the ones in his hometown of Basile, where a traditional Mardi Gras means dressing up, chasing a chicken, stealing shoes, getting money and making a huge gumbo for everyone. He said it was exciting coming into town on the day of the big parade.
“It’s a pretty massive parade, a huge increase to what it use to be like,” Clark said.
Larry Lancelin, Dylan Breaux and Jaelen Jenkins, 16-year-old New Iberia Senior High School students were also at the eatery near the parade. Earlier they were hanging out at the gazebo in Bouligny Plaza. They were in agreement the crowd was really packed. They said it was entertaining, interesting and like most parades — fun. They don’t go for the beads, just the fun.
“I’ll definitely be at the next one,” Lancelin said.