And now something more light-hearted: The Southern Decadence Parade

Southern Decadence began as a house party in 1972. In a desperate attempt to raise the 100 dollars needed for rent and to forget the unremitting heat, ten residents of a Treme house threw a house party - declaring that all were required to come in costume as their favorite southern decadent.

The first parade occurred the following year when the decadents met at a French Quarter bar in costume and then walked back home along Esplanade Avenue. The decadents in that first promenade included (among others) Belle Watling, Mary Anne Mobley, Tallulah Bankhead, and Helen Keller. And if you don't know who Belle Watling was - well..

The first Grand Marshal was appointed in 1974  to bring the appearance of order out of chaos and here were are in 2013. A tradition. Despite the hatred routinely beamed at the New Orleans from the regressive state government in Baton Rouge Southern Decadence is going strong. In keeping with that first house party, yesterday thousands ignored the heat and packed the parade route to catch beads and cheer.

We are the city of parties, festivals, and parades. Oh yah - and we are on the cusp of being once again (all of us - het, gay, lesbian, transgendered, bi-sexual, and just plain flippin' weird) - the city of FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!

 

and of course - we can't forget the haters - Southern Decadence would not be complete without a reminder of the intolerance that surrounds us..

 

 

 

exit laughing with joy