[Jeff Teuton]

Fat Tuesday has officially arrived in our area with beautiful blue skys, a little chilly, and about 60 floats ready to throw beads, trinkets, footballs and lots of people dressed as NFL officials with home made yellow penalty flags that will not be thrown. I would estimate between 75 to 100K people on the streets of Houma, LA. Second largest Mardi Gras only to New Orleans, but a real family type celebration. If you are in the area or traveling to Gainesville, stop for a visit, get some beads and cooking along the route is a requirement and everyone gets fed. I know you will find this hard to believe, but beverages are not only allowed, but required for the Fat Tuesday Tradition. Happy Mardi Gras.