It's Mardi Gras Time on the West Bank!

Believe it or not, the official Mardi Gras season of 2009 has begun.

Tonight, we will be at Mardi Gras World in Algiers for the Krewe of Choctaw's Annual Big Pow-Wow (ball). I can't wait to see all of the beautiful costumes finally completed - I have big expectations for quite a show from the bits and pieces that I've picked up over the year.

The Captain (aka my hubby) has been very secretive lately. He refused to tell me what color his costume is this year, which is a pain in the you-know-what since I normally try to find a complimentary color dress. I sure hope that brown and bronze doesn't clash with him. Also, he has kept this years Godrey Boudreax Memorial Award winner a secret as well. Where's the love from him when this year's theme is "The Mardi Gras of Love"???

The real love came from Jackie Clarkson's office this past week, when it was announced that Choctaw will return to their traditional starting point in Algiers. The applause from members was thunderous, since we haven't paraded in Algiers since 1999 and have been working to get back there for years.

This change brings the return of a full parade weekend to the West Bank, with Cleopatra on Friday (2/13/09), Choctaw on Saturday (2/14/09) and Alla on Sunday (2/15/09). Get your parking spots along General de Gaulle scoped out early - if you wait until the day of the parade, you will be out of luck and stuck walking to the route. Don't forget to watch for the special throw items this year - heart shaped spears, special krewe beads and the return of doubloons!

I'll be back with photos of the Pow-Wow tomorrow....until then, have a great day and enjoy some king cake while the season lasts.

2009 Mardi Gras calendar of parades and route maps

Copyright 2009. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living. All rights reserved.