Index

Memphis Mardi Gras Parade - 2002

- By Bill C.

FEB 2, 2002 – Thanks to several folks:

  • Mitch: 80-90% of the work to get this set up.

  • Pam of Belz Outlet Mall & member for donating the beads.

  • My wife, Connie, for volunteering our home and getting it ready for the clowns to dress and clean up.

  • The Jones family of Conway for all their "clowning around"

It was beautifully sunny & brisk that day for us to have fun at the Mardi Gras Parade on Beale St. Lots of excellent people watching material.

It was not too bad a turn out on such short notice. We had some support from our extended family of Vdubbers in Jonesboro, AR, the NE Arkansas Volks Folks, and some real clowns from Central Arkansas Volks Folks. The "party animals" that made us a mob:

  • David & Betty in the Magic Magenta ‘Vert

  • Dee, Grandson Glen & friend in the Ghia Monster

  • Herbie & Tina in Herbie Luv & Smiley NuBees

  • Eric & friends filled the Scooby Vanagon – PARTY!

  • Mitch piloted the Road Toad w/ navigator "Duckman" Bill

  • Mr. & Mrs. Neal in the Bad Baja Bug

  • Clowns Larry, Charlotte & John of Conway

Good training for next year, it was only 6 blocks long. But what a friendly crowd! We helped out the parade by splitting up our group and acting as a buffer between bands and floats. I love marching bands with loud drums; don’t you? Those young folks could PLAY!

Bead and candy throwing ruled. Mitch bribed the crowd to increase support for his team, the Patriots. The kids really went for the candy. So, next year, we could get by with just candy if we have to. Watch for those after Halloween sales!

I made it back to Beale in time to watch the last of the parade and greet some friends. Pam even came out to cheer us on. After chauffeuring my carload of clowns (lots of people waving and honking at us) back to the house, I finally found some 10:00 news coverage on Channel 5 WMC-TV. Of all the video, about 25% was of 2 of our Vdubs; Eric’s Van Krew and some "Duckman" in a yellow-orange baja (yours truly). Oh... a STAR for just a fleeting nanosecond! I hope it was my good side.

I vote to add this one to our list of winter festivities. Join us. Maybe I can wake up the Luminescent Lightning Bug.

 

Check "Past Events" for more photos.