Mardi Gras with Your Little One
Mardi Gras portrayed in pop culture is all drinks and debauchery. You can only get beads by flashing someone and being drunk is a requirement. Bourbon Street—site of Sin—is the epicenter.
The reality is much different. The reality is children marching in their school bands and families lined up on the grass with ice boxes and lawn chairs. And the beads? All you have to do is stand on a parade route and you’ll catch some!
Are there places to get drinks? Of course there are! (It’s New Orleans, after all, and there’s open carry laws). Do some people go overboard with the drinks (and even elicit drugs)? Of course they do!
But is it a place to bring a child? Of course it is!
I didn’t go with B.G. to parades last year, but that was more because of my body and well-being than her. At four months post-partum, I could walk only a few blocks and then I would get exhausted. This year, however, is a different story. We went to parades on the weekend and we’ll go to more in the coming days! She is truly a parade girl. Here are some thoughts/tips:
Disclaimer: I live in walking distance to the parade route. We can go home anytime we want. She’s also not shy and not sensitive to noise.
Scope out your spot. What’s important to you? Someplace to sit for the afternoon? Access to a bathroom? A place to buy food? How well does your kid (and you) tolerate crowds?
We spent about an hour both days on the weekend at parades. I feel like it was a good amount of time. We left while B.G. was having a good time (always a plus, because it’s a twenty minute walk home!). Think about how long you want to stay at the parade—and plan your exit if it’s before the end of the parade!
Bring snacks/water. In last week’s post, Sustainable Mardi Gras? I suggested bringing your own alcohol, mostly to cut down on plastic single-use to-go cups. It can also be handy to pack some snacks, especially with kids! Though there’s plenty of food available on the parade route (and you might want to get some for a treat), it’s always handy to have something that’s easy to eat with little ones. Of course, this also cuts down on cost and plastic trash.
If diaper-changing applies to your L.O., scope out a spot to change diapers. I saw one parent changing a diaper in a parking lot. When B.G. was tiny, I once changed her right in her stroller. Make sure you bring along trash bags or wet bags to take the diaper with you! Garbage cans are few on the parade route and quickly overflow.
If your L.O. is sensitive to sounds, noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend.
Like anytime you’re in a crowd, be mindful of valuables! I had a jacket with inside pockets for wallet, keys, and phone.
And finally, enjoy the parade and enjoy your kids enjoying it!
Have you been to a Mardi Gras parade with a L.O. before? What tips do you have to share? And check back on Monday to read about making an easy toddler Mardi Gras costume!
