Loose Leaf Notes

– The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on February 19, 2015

Costumes are a main feature at the annual Floyd Mardi Gras.  Always willing to parade their glitter, feathers and flair, Mardi Gras goers go all out, and they know how to let the good times roll.

This year’s 6^th annual Mardi Gras Costume Ball and Blue Mountain School (BMS) fundraiser was held at the Pine Tavern Restaurant and Pavilion. Dancers (many in coats) warmed up the Pavilion dance floor on one of the coldest nights of the year, making the most of the event’s stellar musical line-up that included Fat Catz, Time is Art, Spoon Fight (with special guests) and Hoppie Vaughn.

Also featured were several the Gyroscopic belly dance performances, light show dramatics, a costume party contest, Gumbo by the spoonful, and other Mardi Gras menu favorites.  A silent auction of gifts donated by local artists and businesses was a highlight attraction.  Proceeds from the auction – along with sales of drinks, food and masks made by BMS students – go to support BMS’s student scholarship program.

This year’s crowned Mardi Gras King was Gannon Bender, who was honored for his ability to share light and humor in the community, said Jamie Reygle,
a BMS parent and Mardi Gras organizer.

The crowned Queen was Kim Kessler, who has helped to create the event’s carnival-like atmosphere over the years.  It was Kessler’s Mardi Gras-themed home parties in the ‘90s that gave the late Tom Ryan the idea for the BMS fundraiser.  Reygle took off with Ryan’s idea and has been the event’s primary organizer ever since.

The Floyd Mardi Gras is a community celebration that draws people from all over the area.  Judging from the spirited turn-out and the thank-you list posted on Facebook the next day, it’s the community that makes the Mardi Gras such a successful event, one that so many look forward to each year.

Photos:  1. Old friends find each other 2. Spoon Fight. 3. Gryroscopic Belly Dancers 4. Kind Gannon Bender and Shamama 5. Dancers. 6. Hoppie Vaughn 7. Crowd watches Gyroscopic 8. Best male costume goes to Cameron Woodruff 9. Starroot from Time is Art and Mardi Gras organizer Jamie Reygle. 10. Dancers 11. Cole Coates and local trombonist Deb Tome joins Spoon Fight. 12. Mardi Gras Queen Kim Kessler with Katie Lu Philips.  13. Pine Tavern owner Reed Embrey and others serve up jambalaya and gumbo. 14. Bidding at the silent auction.  Pictured to the left is the Mardi Gras poster art made and donated by local artist Emily Williamson, who has created themed art for the event each year.

More shots from Mardi Gras 2015 HERE and HERE. Last year’s post is HERE._________Our World Tuesday