Grand Mardi Gras Parade 2008

It was a beautiful day for the Grand Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Pensacola. I was surprised to see the number of people who turned out this year.


What a fabulous costume! Wow!


This is one way to catch some beads.


His daddy is a firefighter and he obviously takes his parade duty seriously!


Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty.


Poor baby. I'll feel the same way in another hour. The Grand Mardi Gras Parade in Pensacola is usually close to three hours long!


Every little boy's dream - a lunch of Cheetos and a MoonPie.


What ju mean we're wearin' funny hats!


Don't even think of touchin' my beads.


The closest I could get was still 10 places back from the rail! I need a press pass!


Hmm...I think I took a left when I should have turned right. I was headed for Vicksburg for a reenactment, darlin', and ended up at Mardi Gras.


Don't wave like this, little fella!


You gotta wave like THIS!


La fem of LaFitte


Pegasus!


Even sailors love Mardi Gras. And Pensacola loves sailors!


Yea! I managed not to cut the dragon's head off this time!


Ahoy, matey!


Mardi Gras rosaries?


Krewe of LaFitte have amazing floats.


And one of my favorites is The Parrot!


Now this is the way to go to a parade!


"What's wrong, kiddo? You've got a bunch of beads and a mustard ring around your mouth. Life doesn't get much better!"


Yes, "All the world is a stage" - so give life your best performance!"

Krewe of LaFitte Illuminated Parade

Pensacola's Krewe of LaFitte Illuminated Parade started with a boom last night as canons sounded the start of the parade down Spring and Garden Streets.


If you've never attended this parade, the Krewe of LaFitte has spectacular, lighted floats which you really should see in person to appreciate. You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them.


Yikes! Time to lower the baby, dad. Beads are a tossin'!


Ships and pirates and lots beads.


Baby's first beads!


Hey look at these beads. I think I'll save these for my sugar.


Darn, I chopped off the dragon's head! This is a beautiful float.


The Krewe of LaFitte's huge parrot float is always a favorite.


Hey mister, throw me some beads!


A pirate fortress.


The Octopus float was great!


Many hours of hard work are evident and the colors are beautiful!


Ohhh, a pirate and his chest of gold.


More beads! More beads!


The Krewe of Aquatica.


A Jester from Navarre!


Navarre Krewe of Jesters.


Krewe of Eagles.


That's one big eagle!


The kids in the parade were fantastic last night. They were full of energy and having a ball.


See my beads!


Tiny twirler!


These little girls had more energy than an energizer bunny...hop, hop, hop.


So, like, no fair. We have to throw these beads?

Krewe of Seville, those little devils!

These young man has obviously learned how to catch some beads!

Ooohhh, this is a scary float.

The Krewe of Sirens

The Krewe of Sirens went 'Red' for the parade. We love your heart!

Hey, that looks like a plutonium shopping cart.

Plutonium message: ET phone home.

Krewe of Plutonium had cool throws!

Hey, lady, throw us some beads!

Look who came to the parade!

A mermaid!

I LOVE his hat!

This is fun!

Life is good when you're a pirate!

Uncle Sam brought up the end of the parade.

Roux!!!

Meet Roux, my 7 1/2 week old canine god-daughter! She's like a little shadow who goes in and out with me - three times a day - while her 'mommy' is away at work.


Listen, Roux, we have a strict 'no-smoking' policy around here!


Little dog, long shadow.


Roux, Millie isn't going to like it when she sees you have her toy!