Throw Me Some Information Mister!

As the new Community Manager at Launch Pad I feel like I’m really starting to get into the “swing of things” but I still have a lot to learn and there is one area that I need some major advice in…
…Mardi Gras!
Even though I grew up in Mississippi, it was in North Mississippi where our spring ritual was dressing up in hoop skirts and giving tours of antebellum homes. Not exactly a party..so this year is my first Mardi Gras ever and I need all the help and advice I can get!
Let’s start with first things first: King Cake. I had my first piece when I bought a regular king cake at Rouse’s…nothing special yet it was a formative moment in my young, new life here in New Orleans. I appreciate glitter icing in a much deeper sense now and I’m already wondering if I can hoard a few in my freezer to make it through the non-king cake season?
Fueled by cinnamon and sugar, I’ve know at least enough about the season to have a wig and comfortable (and sparkly!) shoes ready. What’s the best way to take in all the action? Do I stake out a spot hours before or hop on my bike and explore the whole route? Do I need to pack food and drink for the day? Where is the bathroom?!! Clearly, I need some tried and true advice to survive “the marathon”. Do you watch from the street, a friend’s house, or a pub, or do you mix it up and do all three?
Now supposing I’ve got a spot for watching parades, a drink in my hand and a Hubig’s pie tucked under my wig, can somebody tell me, how do I get a Zulu coconut? What are the magic words to get royalty to throw my way? Besides the coveted Zulu coconut, what are other throws I should strive for?
I’m sure your first Mardi Gras is one you’ll never forget, that is, of course, if you can remember it in the first place! Which leads me to perhaps the most informative area of discussion. How DO you survive the “marathon” of indulging? I’ve been told the secret is “bloody mary, beer, coffee, repeat”. But I must admit, I’m not much of a coffee drinker…do you think it would be ok to sub Zapp’s for coffee?
Katy
LP Community Manager
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