Mardi Gras Survival

We survived our first Mardi Gras here in Alabama, the home of Mardi Gras in the US.  We had a good time in the communities attending several parades and collecting multiple pounds (literally) of beads, stuffed animals, other trinkets and the god-awful Moon Pies (two cookies separated by a poor quality marshmallow creme).  The night parade in Fairhope was the best because of the lights.  Many of the floats were three-tiered with usually 4 to 5 people on each tier, each side, throwing all sorts of stuff that will overfill local dumpsters.

 But all the parades had hordes of people crowding towards the floats with empty bags (several per person).  People of all ages begged the throwers on the float to toss them the all important stuff.  Here are photos from one of the parades in Gulf Shores:

We even saw several people with 5 gallon buckets to hold the stuff.  We only used our necks (for beads) and our jacket pockets for the other valuables.

But the most fun we had during this time period was here at the Rainbow Plantation.  All around goofiness was the goal.  The schedule was packed with activities including a parade through the park comprised of RVers riding various decked-out vehicles.

Even the spectators were in a good mood (and good-looking!):

Other entertainment was also crammed into the schedule including at several meals available here in the park as part  of the festivities.  About 275 people were served meals by volunteers at each setting.  Crowded was the word.  On the first night, desert was a frosted velvet cupcake.  But two of the cupcakes contained a small plastic baby signifying that the prospective eater (hopefully not swallower)  were the King and Queen of the Mardi Gras.  The King and Queen were responsible to hold rule over the festival and participants.  Fortunately we were not the lucky people to be crowned, but these two were:

Whenever the King and Queen would enter the clubhouse, the goofiness began:

The park brought in performers and used volunteers who performed various skits and/or musical presentations.

The below link was one of the most memorable performances (skit by the Queen of the gala):  click:  Little Things.

A good time was had by all including Donna's hand-made teddy bear: