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Mardi Gras is New Orleans’ spring tonic
Allen Crabtree, Special to RedCross.org
Monday, March 06, 2006 — NEW ORLEANS - The sights and smells of New Orleans after Katrina last September are forever burned into my memory, but they have been supplanted by festive crowds and parades for Mardi Gras.
Allen Crabtree, seen here on Sept. 25 while deployed to Houma, La., is a volunteer from the Southern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross, residing in Sebago, Maine. He is a writer, antiquarian book dealer, blueberry farmer, town Selectman, volunteer fire fighter and ambulance driver.
(Photo Credit: Thomas Jacobson/
American Red Cross)
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For a few days, people of New Orleans have been able to forget Katrina and the massive rebuilding effort that remains. Mardi Gras is a spring tonic that reminds everyone what New Orleans was like before Hurricane Katrina.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, the crowds filled every bleacher seat and were ten deep along St. Charles Avenue as the Krewes of Bacchus and Endymion floats paraded through the heart of New Orleans, filling the air with strings of beads tossed to the crowds.
Three area families welcomed me into their tiny area of the street curb between a light pole and the orange snow fence. They gave me a quick course on the history of Mardi Gras and the krewes, as well as pointers on “bead etiquette.”
Once they learned that I was with the American Red Cross these optimistic people shared their Katrina stories, and how the Red Cross helped them through the tough times.
“That was intentional “There is nothing bad to say about how the Red Cross has come down here, for all the people who left their homes and families and helped us in our time of need,” my new curb-side friends explained. "New Orleans is coming back, but we couldn’t have done it without you, and you are here helping us now as we get back on our feet. We will never forget what you have done!”
“We’re coming back,” said a Lake Shore area couple. “We’ve gutted our home and will start rebuilding as soon as power comes back to our street.”
A fisherman from Buras said the crab fishing was better than ever. He was dividing his time between crabbing and rebuilding his hurricane-damaged home.
“How do you feel about Mardi Gras?” I asked. There had been criticism that the festivities were too expensive – or too soon – or not appropriate for a city still grieving from Katrina.
“This is exactly what we need,” said one woman. “New Orleans is going to come alive again, and there is no better way to boost our spirits than Mardi Gras!”
Allen Crabtree is a volunteer from the Southern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross and lives in Sebago, Maine. He is a writer, antiquarian book dealer, blueberry farmer, town Selectman, volunteer fire fighter and ambulance driver.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
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