Mardis Gras only comes once a year
The columns of the Taggart Student Center are draped with green, yellow and purple crepe paper. A balloon arch has been erected at the entrance to the Sunburst Lounge which has been turned into a casino. The Hub hosts a hip-hop dance and thereis a drag queen show going on in the TSC ballroom.
It must be Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage and was first celebrated in 1699. Early explorers celebrated this holiday on the banks of the Mississippi River. The partially pagan, partially Christian holiday was originally a religious festival that preceded Lent. Since then the holiday has evolved to its current carnival celebration and festivities. Traditionally Mardi Gras is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and can be literally translated to mean “Fat Tuesday”.
For Utah States University’s celebration, the bottom floor of the TSC was turned into New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.
Palm readers, caricature artists, and tarot card readers lined the hall. Everything at the celebration was free to all USU students with ID.
The evening included popcorn, cotton candy that turned your teeth blue, soft drinks, balloon hats, an unlimited number of poker chips and, of course, beads.
“Mardi Gras is freaking awesome. It’s the time of your life. It’s the only time you can wear beads and not look stupid. The more beads, the better,” Stephanie Curtis, a sophomore majoring in accounting said.
Beads came in the official colors of Mardi Gras: purple, green, and gold. The colors were chosen in 1872 by that year’s King of the Carnival, Rex. Rex chose the colors to represent justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold). The beads are worn to resemble the jewels worn by royalty.
Bands Legato, Murrieta and Amnesty played during the evening’s festivities. All three floors of the Taggart Student Center were filled with students enjoying the free entertainment and the spirit of Mardi Gras.
Two Drag Queen shows were put on by the Imperial Rainbow Court of Utah. Students crowded in to the TSC ballroom to watch performers walk the catwalk in their black fur lined robes and knee high leather boots. Students were encouraged to tip the performers as all proceeds would be donated to charities to assist in curing AIDS and Breast Cancer. The group raised over $23,000 the previous year.
“They told us to keep it clean, but that was a lost cause. Welcome to Mardi Gras folks,” said Tim Brown, the manager of the Imperial Rainbow Court, when one of his performers kissed an audience member.
Black Jack, Texas Hold’em, Roulette and practically every other casino game known to man could be found in the TSC Lounge. Students crowded around dealers to gamble away their plastic poker chips. No talent, skill, or even a basic knowledge of the game was necessary since there wasn’t any money involved.
Police and Student Activities Board officers wandered through the crowds, keeping an eye on students and breaking up the occasional fights that occurred.
“I feel like a mom,” said Joanna Swenson, a junior majoring in pre-physical therapy after she’d just ordered a littering partier to put their cup in the garbage can.
For most USU students Mardi Gras is simply a time to throw caution to the wind and live a little. For one night it is OK to gamble and cheer on men wearing women’s clothing.
“You would think that nobody here had any morals, and we don’t because it’s Mardi Gras,” David Smith, a sophomore majoring in economics, said.
“It’s the holiday where sins don’t matter,” said Jeremy Thrape, a junior majoring in Veterinary Science.
-amcconkie@cc.usu.edu