Students celebrate first Mardi Gras

For most in-state students, Mardi Gras has been a part of life from their earliest memories.

But for out-of-state students, the holiday is a foreign experience, and some students say it lived up to the hype.

Wisconsin native and construction management freshman Tim Monson never celebrated Mardi Gras before this season.

Monson wanted to participate in New Orleans' Mardi Gras festivities because he had heard "that it's a solid five days of having fun."

He saw the Krewes of Endymion, Thoth and Bacchus parades, though he noted he didn't see much of Bacchus because he "was taking drunk kids home."

Endymion was Monson's favorite parade, but first-time Mardi Gras-goer Susie Bousquet said Thoth was her favorite.

"It was a more family-oriented parade because it was during the day," said Bousquet, a pre-nursing freshman from Virginia Beach, Va. "It was more interactive. My group danced a lot and went into the parade and danced with the people."

Bousquet said she didn't see anything shocking.

"I was expecting there to be a lot more ... of the whole risque things people talk about," she said. "There were lots of drunk people, but I didn't see any body parts or anything."

Bousquet was surprised, though, to see all parade-riders wearing masks.

"The floats were huge. I didn't know that everyone on the floats would be wearing masks," she said.

Bousquet also had her first king cake this weekend.

"It's my new favorite food," she said. "I ate an embarrassing amount."

Bousquet "definitely" wants to participate in Mardi Gras next year, though she hopes to stay in New Orleans longer than the two days she visited.

Monson, on the other hand, said even though he wants to participate in Mardi Gras next year, he doesn't want to stay in New Orleans the entire weekend again.

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Contact Danielle Kelley at dkelley@lsureveille.com