Drizzle doesn’t hamper parade, revelry
The threat of rain could not stop the 21st annual Minden Mardi Gras/Fasching Parade from lighting up the night Saturday, nor did it discourage spectators from showing up in full force to take part in the festivities.
Put on by Minden Main Street, the parade featured over 60 groups, from Mardi Gras krewes to pageant queens to school marching bands. This was accompanied by a Karneval across from City Hall with several rides and attractions that ran Friday and Saturday night.
“Our new staging area at the fair grounds went very smoothly,” said Terry Gardner, president of Minden Main Street. “The flow of the parade went very well, and the finishing of the parade was just in time before a slow rain started.”
The Parade and Karneval highlight Minden’s German heritage by celebrating the fifth season of the originally German holiday Fasching.
“The main goal is to bring the whole community together,” Gardner said. “It’s a family-friendly event. It also brings attendance from surrounding communities to enjoy our downtown stores and restaurants.”
The parade, with the Krewe des Ambassadeurs float in the lead, began on Germantown Road and wound its way through Minden’s Historic District, then downtown and back up to Germantown Road. The 3.3-mile-long circuit saw massive krewe floats, performances from marching bands and dance teams, and many, many Mardi Gras beads.
Downtown businesses contributed to the experience Saturday by offering attendees the chance to prepare for the evening’s festivities. City Art Works held a Mardi Gras mask-making session, allowing kids to design and create their own mask for the parade. Geaux Fresh held a Mardi Gras brunch with special menu items.
“The downtown Minden businesses capitalized on the parade and had very good sales throughout the day,” Gardner said.
Several awards were given out to the best entrants in the parade. Krewe des Ambassadeurs took home Most Spirited Group and Best Small Float. Also among the winners were the Gold City Steppers for Best Marching Group and the North Webster Junior High School Band for Best Marching Band.
“The success of the parade would not be possible without the assistance and support of many of the city’s departments, the Minden Police, the Sheriff’s department, tourism, and our many volunteers,” Gardner said.
