Mardi Gras was a fun and very eventful time for the Residents this year. Our Home had several things going on that Residents could participate in. We went to several parades leading up to Mardi Gras week, and that is when the real fun got started!
Each year we celebrate the Mardi Gras season by hosting a Royal Cocktail Party. The Residents vote on their Royal Court which consists of a King and Queen for the Home, a Mayor, a Lady in Waiting, a Lady and Knight for each unit, and a Court Jester. The day of the Royal Cocktail Party started off with a dinner in Holy Family Lounge for the Royal Court and their families. The dinner was lovely and each of the Residents in attendance truly felt like Royalty that day! Later that same afternoon our Home held the Coronation ceremony and what a treat it was! The auditorium was decorated in beautiful Mardi Gras colors that were fit for any King and Queen. As the Royal Court enter, first the Mayor and Jester, then the Royal Court, and finally the King and Queen, Murphy High School ROTC, fully clothed in their honor guard uniforms, gave each of them a gun salute. It was wonderful to see the ladies in the Royal Court escorted in with one of the young men in the ROTC.The Residents had a ball at the Coronation. Each of the ladies were dressed in beautiful gowns with matching jewelry and the men were dressed in their best suits. There was beautiful Jazz provided and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy the bon temps of Mardi Gras together.
The BIG event for Mardi Gras was the parade on Fat Tuesday. Our Home had the opportunity to celebrate the Parade that day downtown on the Archbishop’s porch! Even though it rained for most of the parade, the Residents were in great spirits about the day. After enjoying a day of watching the various floats, everyone came home with bags full of goodies! It was a great Mardi Gras season for our Residents and we are looking forward to the fun times we will have next year! Until then, Laissez les bons temps rouler. (Let the good times roll!)
