A Knoxville Mardi Gras parade hits Market Square.
If it’s September in Knoxville, Tennessee, it must be – Mardi Gras! Yep. Never mind that Mardi Gras is usually held in points way south of here. And never mind that it traditionally is the week or so before Lent starts, which definitely is NOT in September.
Judith Foltz, the city's director of special events, arrives at Kendrick Place dressed appropriately!
This is a new tradition. As the last of the year’s series of Summer Suppers, it is a fundraiser for Knox Heritage. Fortunately, we have several folks from real Mardi Gras cities to help host the event: Knox Heritage head Kim Trent is from Mobile, Alabama, where the first Mardi Gras was held, and Shaun Fulco, Roger Hyver and Jennifer Bruner are from the New Orleans area. So we do have a few authentic Mardi Gras experts.
Just like last year when this party turned out to be so much fun that it was declared to be an annual affair (click here to see a report on that party), about 100 guests and hosts gathered at Kendrick Place to get the party started and then joined in a traditional New Orleans-style jazz funeral parade through downtown to make their way to The Emporium where a big shrimp boil was served. It was accompanied by red beans and rice, jambalaya, and real king cakes flown in from New Orleans.
The so-called mews at Kendrick Place -- the space between the two rows of condos -- resembles New Orleans a little.
Roger Hyver is from New Orleans so he knew how to dress the part.
Same for Shaun Fulco, left, and Jennifer Bruner
Michelle Kenik, left, and Michelle Bakewell looked great posing with Michael Kenik.
Here are Zak Weisfeld, left, and Scott Schimmel, who is chairman of the Knox Heritage Board.
News Sentinel photographer Paul Efird had the tallest hat! Here he is with his wife, Stephanie.
Rick Russell, left, and Jonathan Newberry
Dawn Ford
Monique Anderson, left, and Karen Eberle
Fred and Gina Buffum
Kim Trent announcing it was time to start the parade. "I wish I had a bullhorn every day," I heard her say. Ha!
Sax player Doug Rinaldo was one member of the Down Under Dixieland Band which led our parade.
Onto Market Square!
Then Gay Street
The 100 block of Gay Street
Our friend P. Smith was cheering on the parade!
I loved Nancy Campbell's cool umbrella.
Officer Wilock, our friend from last year, helped us with traffic management.
Once we reached The Emporium courtyard, we were greeted by this fellow who belongs to Mickey Mallonee. He was sitting in Summer Supper series sponsor Home Federal's trademark red rocker.
One of the hosts was Jennifer Holder, another downtown dweller.
Jennifer calls her company Pirate Girl PR and I thought her necklaces were clever!
My husband, Alan Carmichael, bought this mask when we were in New Orleans earlier this year. I wouldn't have recognized him if I hadn't seen the mask earlier!
Here is our friend Richard Ford in his favorite pose.
Larry Rau of The Shrimp Dock checks the shrimp boil.
Sam Maynard, one of the hosts, was partial to the crab legs.
The owners of The Shrimp Dock, Phil and Becky Dangel, were paying close attention to the boil.
When it was done, the shrimp boil was served in this cute boat.
Jennifer Bruner had her father, who lives in New Orleans, send copies of the Times-Picayune to put at all the tables.
Real king cakes, soft and sugary, were at each table. At our table, Stephanie Efird found the tiny baby doll hidden in the cake.
This was a great way to end a hectic week. It made me want to go back to New Orleans — and we’ve already been there twice this year. If you’d like to see more pictures of this fun event, click here to go to a blog by my buddy, The Urban Guy. Or click here to go to the photos on the Knox Heritage Facebook page.
This is one of my favorite events of the year (for obvious reasons). For that short time that we second line through downtown Knoxville – it is Mardi Gras to me! A safe, clean, fun Mardi Gras. Which, to me, is better then the real thing in New Orleans. All the fun without the crowds and crime. Great time for a great cause!
It was a blast–once again. Thanks for coming. The photos are great. I love Alan’s mask! PS: Next time I’m wearing a tulle tutu.
I look forward to that, Gay! Thanks for helping make it happen, Shaun!
Cynthia, Bob and I tried several times to go to one of the dinners this summer, and each time we could not go. I hope we have better luck next season. They look like so much fun! Thanks for your posts!
Hey, Glo! Yes, they are pretty much a blast! Everyone is in such a good mood, the food is great, and the themes are so creative. They are some of the best evenings of the year. I hope we get to see you and Bob at some of them next year. You all would make them even more fun!
We and a most wonderful time!
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