Fourteen (14) club members arrived at the club house at 5:00 pm to find masks, beads, streamers and a beautiful 80th Anniversary Banner donated to the club by Debbie Evans. The usual volunteers, Johnnie, Johnnie’s Daughter, Betty, Marguerite, Paul, Mike, Gerry, Jim, Connie, Candy, Rich, Arlene, Jerry and Barb Nephew were all there to promote the club during the Mardi Gras Parade. Rich and Connie were unable to walk the parade so they remained behind to set up refreshments for the others at the end of the parade.
At 5:30 pm we all walked over to S. Atlantic (in front of the Oceania Condos where the parade was being staged) to meet-up with Tom Grubb and Susan in their Peddle Car, which they had decorated for the occasion. There were floats with music, motorcyclists and many exotic costumed participants all being positioned in advance of the parade.
At 7:00 pm the officials kicked-off the parade and we marched up S. Atlantic to turn onto Flagler Ave. There were so many people calling out to friends, imbibing on spirits/beer and begging for beads. Such a jovial time. It seemed that many more people attended this parade as compared to last year’s parade. The noise and excitement was exhilarating. As we reached Pine Street, Tom and Susan’s peddle car antics excited the crowd into waves of laughter.
At Pine Street we exited the parade and made for the club house where Rich and Connie had cool drinks and treats for the weary. With sore feet and a happy heart we all headed for home.
The Coronado/Mainland Shuffler 