January is one of Louisiana’s slowest months for festivals but that just makes it easier to attend the ones that do take place. Last year I went into greater detail about certain January events, but because they are the highlights of the month, I’m going to mention them again in addition to some new events.
Although it’s not a “festival” in the familiar sense, the Commemoration of The Slave Revolt of 1811 is of such historical significance that, as a Louisianian, I’m proud this group continues to call attention to this bit of history. Probably the largest slave uprising in U.S. history, this revolt mobilized more than five hundred slaves who marched toward New Orleans from 25 miles up river with the goal of capturing the city and liberating their fellow slaves. Three days after its start, the slave owners’ militia and U.S. troops put down the uprising near the present day town of Kenner, executed its leaders and placed their heads on poles along River Road to intimidate other slaves.
The African American History Alliance of Louisiana organizes a number of separate events January 9-10 most of which take place in Congo Square of Armstrong Park. Saturday is the main day for activities, as tables laden with black history information are set up around the square and a stage is erected to present various school group performances.
Around 11 a.m. people gather to form a group to parade through the Treme neighborhood for a brief symbolic march representing the march on New Orleans almost 200 years ago. Everyone can participate in a symbolic Martyr’s Walk, which acts as a powerful piece of living history as one chants “Freedom or death” and “On to New Orleans.” On Sunday, a bus tour is scheduled to various relevant historical stops along River Road including the slave graveyard on the Bonne Carre Spillway.
One of my favorite events of the year, the Oyster Scavenger Hunt (January 17), takes place just south of New Orleans in the coastal community of Jean Lafitte. Lafitte doesn’t necessarily have a downtown area, it actually stretches the length of Bayou Barataria, stopping only when the road can’t go any farther because of the water. It’s along this fishing community that you must venture forth following your treasure map to selected stops.
After stopping in at the Bayou Barn (directly on La. 45 before the high-rise bridge into Lafitte) to pick up your map and a small brown paper bag to hold your goodies, you have a few hours to find the selected stops identified with red flags, collect the treasures and get your map stamped.
Stopping at all of the businesses qualifies you for prizes such as sacks of crawfish, free dinners or gift baskets, which are awarded at the end of the day during the Fais-do-do back at the Bayou Barn.
The oyster theme ties in perfectly, given the waterside locale and the time of the year. Along your route every stop offers some type of oyster sampling: oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, boiled oysters, either free or at special prices.
There will also be oyster shucking and oyster eating contests scheduled during the day. You couldn’t ask for a better way to fed a connection with natural Louisiana than by overlooking the vast marshlands while chowing down on some freshly shucked oysters. There’s a small admission charge to participate in the Scavenger Hunt but this entitles you to admission during the Fais-do-do.
For intriguing names, I think the Fur and Wildlife Festival, (January 8-9) is right up there with the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Started in 1956 in Cameron (about 30 minutes south of Lake Charles) the festival is dedicated to keeping the traditions of the marshland skinning, duck calling, trap setting, archery and oyster shucking-alive. These skills used to be part of practically every family’s way of life but with the advent of progress they just aren’t as prevalent.
Carnival rides, a parade, food and game booths are all found at the festival throughout the weekend but I’d recommend anyone who wants to make the trip to try and arrive early Saturday morning to get a real taste of Louisiana on the wild side. This is when you’ll have the opportunity to witness the nutria and muskrat skinning contests. Each of three competitors is given a dead animal, and the moment “go” is called five stopwatch-holding judges time the race.
The crowd gathers round to encourage their favorite skinners with cheers of “go boy, get that thing-pull, pull.” Between the various contests you call stop in at the multi-purpose building which holds a number of exhibits and booths focusing on the wetlands, alligators and the fur industry. Saturday night the new Miss Fur & Wildlife Queen is crowned and a dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall follows with music by Barry Badon. Cameron is at least a four hour drive from New Orleans along the picturesque hug-the-coast highway, LA 82.
Scary as it may sound, with the arrival of January 6, the Twelfth Night (the feast of Epiphany), Mardi Gras season is upon us! The secret society of Phunny Phorty Phellows marks this occasion with a night of merriment on a St. Charles Streetcar. Spectators gather by the streetcar barn on Willow Street around 6 p.m. to send off the costumed revelers for their ride. Although there are a number of private balls marking the start of the season, if it weren’t for the Phunny Phorty Phellows. We normal people wouldn’t have a festive kickoff.
My favorite local bar, Carrollton Station, is across the street from the car barn and the perfect location to take in the jubilant gathering or you can wait anywhere along the streetcar line to catch some beads. Part of the tradition includes a stop in front of Gallier Hall for an exchange with masked local politicos who razz the Phellows.
Although it’s Slidell who holds the first area Mardi Gras parade, the Krewe of Slidellians on January 24, for New Orleans it’s the Krewe du Vieux Parade at 7 p.m. on January 30. The Krewe du Vieux Parade is the perfect way to really enjoy the essence of mockery that the season represents. It is the only parade allowed to march through the French Quarter and the entire tone is one of hilarious sarcasm and sexual innuendo.This year’s theme of Urban Myths guides the 16 member sub-krewes, with such names as Krewe of ‘the Mystic Inane, Krewe of Underwear and Seeds of Decline. The sub-krewes meet in the months preceding the parade to choose special sub-topics dear to their hearts to lampoon.
This year you can look forward to such well-thought out themes as Louisiana Payride, Public Futilities — ENTROPY (definition: inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society) and my favorite, Premature Evacuation. If you’re not from New Orleans the meaning of some of these themes may be lost on you but if you’re a local it’s sure to hit your funny bone. Be assured the costumes will be as irreverent as the themes. I’ll bet fifty cents that some group will figure out some way to parade in giant walking condoms. Some of the best brass bands accompany the parade and if you’re up for more debauchery you can attend the Krewe du VieuxDoo, the annual ball. The public is invited and tickets are available at the door. (FYI Mardi Gras is February 16,1999.)
Don’t forget that Huli’s 1999 Calendar of Louisiana Festivals and Events, listing more than 400 festivals and 100 Mardi Gras parades is available for purchase.
