Or, as they say in Louisiana “Les Le Laissez Bon Temps Rouler.” And this Mardi Gras season, the good times are rolling and so are the parades. Being from southern Louisiana, I can honestly say that Mardi Gras is a time, a holiday season, an event – one that you live through, enjoy, and work to survive. I love it, miss it, and forever wish I was in Louisiana during Fat Tuesday. Being a veteran of such a party, I feel that a survival guide is needed for anyone attempting to celebrate it here in snow country. So if you are in the spirit this week–or weekend (hello, Marley in the Mountains!), please use the following information to keep you hydrated, fed, and feeling good.
The Must Haves
Each and every one of the following has saved my life, and my Mardi Gras:
(*please note:this list has been adapted for altitude and snow.)
A beanie (for so many reasons…In Louisiana, this would be bandana—and, really, you may want one of those too, for so many other reasons)
A Costume. For Fat Tuesday (if not prepared, grab any sheet—toga!!!)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
A down parka or windbreaker (Mountain weather is slightly unpredictable . . . just as Louisiana weather can be—if down South bring an umbrella or rain parka )
Some hand warmers or foot warmers. (See weather explanation above)
Snacks—Doritos, pretzels, sweets, anything that is munchies.
A koozie (keep your drink cold, your hand warm)
Water
(hydration while at altitude is essential, hydration while drinking at altitude is elemental)
Excedrin. (Or what we call, Candy. Painkiller plus caffeine—the end all be all do all of over-the-counter get rid of the fog and ready for the day kinda candy.)
A camera—can’t forget watching your friends make fools of themselves (or relations doing the same—and the images are always fun later around the table at Christmas)
A cooler with wheels (read: easy to transport and walk down parade routes) to hold the following:
• beers
• Ice (both to keep the beers cold and to make drinks)
• Vodka
• Tequila
• Gin
• Bourbon
• OJ (because it mixes with everything and you get some Vitamin C—very needed. Lets just say very needed.)
• Peach Schnapps (to mix with the OJ and vodka. Be warned. This can be fatal)
• And type of cola—for the bourbon
• Anything and everything to make Bloody Marys (the olives double as snacks)
Tip. DO NOT ATTEMPT to make white russians. Milk is not a good idea at Mardi Gras. I will just share my infinite wisdom here, and not the story.
What to know:
Every single burger place (or fried chicken establishment) in the vicinity. This is necessary to cure the morning hangover. Vitamin G— Grease and carbs—is often the only way to make it through Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Make sure the restaurant of your choice has cheese and bacon.
These are the WRV Locales:
Grumpy’s (860 Warm Springs Road, Ketchum)
Lefty’s (231 Sixth Street, Ketchum)
Mahoney’s (104 S Main Street, Bellevue)
Cowboy Cocina (1st St. Meriwether Building, Hailey)
The Wicked Spud (305 N Main Street, Hailey)
And since I am in Idaho and not New Orleans, I am going to surround myself with friends, let the good times roll, and celebrate Fat Tuesday! Do the same!—stay home and listen to some tunes, or head out and around town and check out what is going on in the Valley. If y’all hear anything or can add – please post
Tuesday, February 24th: What I have heard around town
Sun Valley Brewery
drinks, happy hour, and a band
Mardi Gras Party 6p.m.-9p.m. Damphools start at 7:30. Special New Orleans drink menu
three•TEN•main
special southern menu, get a reservation, and enjoy!
And if you DO make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, follow the following Do’s and Do Nots.
For your food fix:
Port Of Call (838 Esplanade Ave)
Yo Mama’s (727 St. Peter—dude. Bacon Peanutbutter Burger. Need I say more? I shouldn't have to.)
Do write down where you are staying. The hotel name. A phone number. Do not think you are above this.
Be nice.
Have fun.
Remember to eat.
Do not—as a local—under any circumstances flash for beads. There are many reasons for this rule. The most important being, when you wake up with a pile of beads and a faint recollection of nudity—you might feel cheap. And nobody likes that.
Do not go to central lock-up (the jail)—it is not a vacation and your mom might not bail you out.
