From Newfoundland to New Orleans, one Newfoundlander is celebrating what’s typically the wildest time of year—Mardi Gras—in a much different manner this year.
Kyran Pittman grew up in Corner Brook but has been living in New Orleans for the last two years with her family.
Waking up on the morning of the big Mardi Gras celebration, Pittman felt stunned. She says life in New Orleans amid the COVID-19 pandemic, like everywhere, has been surreal, but that’s been highlighted even more this time of year.
Mardi Gras is much more than a one-day celebration, says Pittman. It’s actually six weeks of celebration, kicking off on January 6 and ramping up in the last two weeks.
On the day that should’ve been the climax, Pittman says that the reality of no mass gatherings in the streets with float-filled parades, really set in. Instead, she says people have pivoted remarkably quickly and found a way to keep the tradition alive.
Pittman says people have made house-floats, calling it “Yardi Gras,” and “if the parade can’t come to us, we’ll be the parade.”
Happy #MardiGras2021 🎉
New Orleanians are keeping the party going despite parade cancellations by decorating their homes like floats. Hopefully, the city will be back at it this time next year because there is no party like a Mardi Gras party! pic.twitter.com/l7uZVcYfoy
— Zachary Parker (@ZacharyforWard5) February 16, 2021
However, the most meaningful part of Mardi Gras, says Pittman, is the mass gathering, and not having that has been challenging. She compares the experience to something like the age-old tradition of mummering in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Pittman says a folklorist would likely draw a number of very distinct similarities. She says like mummering, people dress up and bring out their hidden secret-self and put it on display on Mardi Gras day.
New Orleans' Mardi Gras parade was cancelled due to COVID-19 so people have been transforming homes into #YardiGras house floats. This brings me joy so I want to share it with y'all. Please chime in if you recognize artists or houses so credit can be given where it's due! pic.twitter.com/3vepBBd5Nb
— Anna Massoglia (@annalecta) February 17, 2021
2021 Mardi Gras "House Floats"
New Orleans, LouisianaYou can't keep a great town down! pic.twitter.com/WAdkMiUemd
— Robert Mihaly 🇫🇷 ✍️ 😷 (@RobertMihaly1) February 16, 2021
Bourbon Street on Lundi Gras, for this Covid edition of #MardiGras . This is Bourbon and St Louis streets, normally the belly of the beast pic.twitter.com/8dR9xFaIWw
— Ian McNulty (@IanMcNultyNOLA) February 15, 2021