Mardi Gras in Arkansas?

	Mardi Gras Digest
	Michael Martin- Reporting
This reporter can be reached at mmartin@Mardigrasdigest.com

People In Fayetteville, Arkansas Prove New Orleans Isn't The Only Place To Have Fun

Dateline: January 25, 2002

Who would have thought that there could ever be a Mardi Gras in Arkansas?   Nationwide, people would agree that there is no room for a Mardi Gras in any other city.  Louisiana, the state, which houses the city of New Orleans is seen as the birthplace of jazz. The city is rich in culture, and most of all, known for it's unprecedented carnival madness.  However Arkansas, a state that is known for the scenery of the Ozark Mountains is hardly known for Mardi Gras merriment. So when we heard that the people of Fayetteville, host their version of Mardi Gras each year, we had to find out the scoop.  By chance we became associates with Bellards Event Management based in Fayetteville, and their representatives sent us a videotape of how that town celebrates Mardi Gras "Arkansas Style". It's a case of town making the best of what they have. In the process, they put to shame others who say they can't for one reason or another host a Mardi Gras celebration in their hometown.

 Although it is acknowledged that there are several cities surrounding Louisiana and those as far away as Seattle have their own carnival celebrations, the town of Fayetteville, home of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, is a college hometown.  To many, it is a place to retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle of big city life.  In addition, the beautiful scenery of the Ozark Mountains adds a sense of serenity to the area, one that we here in New Orleans are certainly not used to. 

Fayetteville continues the tradition of  Mardi Gras being a family oriented event.  Children come out as young as infancy with their parent and grandparents to see everyday people dress up in some of the most colorful costumes imaginable, but keeping modesty in mind.  The festivities are complete with masks, balloons, floats, beads, and music.

  There are many similarities between what Fayetteville does, and what New Orleans is famous for.  For example, organizations here have adopted the term "krewe" as the krewes here in New Orleans name themselves.  There are "krewe captains", and even competitions judging what krewe has the most unique or decorative float.  There are even crowds yelling at float riders with enthusiasm to, "throw me something mister!!"  Sounds like a typical Mardi Gras.

	A classic jeep serves the purpose for a float.

 However, Improvising is common for any city hoping to capture the essence of Mardi Gras and carnival.  In Fayetteville, floats are not ones that would cost into the thousands of dollars to build.  The resources are limited as to what people here have, and it is hard to get access to what the krewes here New Orleans have such an abundance of.  Most often, it may be so that family members pitch in to help, as well as ride the floats into the parade.  However, some may dress formally, and others in costumes that reflect the themes of their floats.  It is not strange to see personal vehicles pulling floats, or a parade of nice cars serving as showpieces for the parade.

The comparisons between Mardi Gras here and there is a difference of money, advertisement, sponsorship, tourism, and tradition.  Fayetteville certainly does not try to compare itself to New Orleans' ability to gain all of these aspects that makes Mardi Gras work here, but the true spirit of Mardi Gras, coupled with a long-standing tradition of their own, has continued to make the celebration work in Fayetteville.  And work it does! There is campaigning for the next sheriff, advertisements for local businesses, Local cable access broadcast the parade, you even have chances for showcasing local talent.  All of this centered around community involvement, and giving residents something more to look forward to once a year.

Although the people of Fayetteville realize that they are not in New Orleans, the importance of the festivities to the community in invaluable.  With the direction New Orleans has taken in recent years, its becoming less and less of a family affair, and this is that aspect, that something, Fayetteville can be proud of, in staying with what makes Mardi Gras work for them and the residents that live there. 

To close, even though New Orleans may have the glitz, the glitter, and the hype, the true spirit of Mardi Gras can live on in other places, including Fayetteville, Arkansas. New Orleans can even learn from these revelers in Arkansas! They have shown us what we use to know ourselves, but seem to have forgotten. Indeed A.J. and Penny Bellard, the promoters of the event, can show us all the one thing we just might have lost a long time ago. 

 We here in New Orleans need to commend their effort, and bring light to the fact that Mardi Gras, and the spirit of carnival itself, can and should remain a family event. After all, the celebration , the spirit of Carnival, lives inside us, and can take what form we decide to give it.

The revelers here have decided to give it the form of the things that make America great. The spirit of family, togetherness, and triumph over obstacles.  Our hats off to Fayetteville!!

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