Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate Mexico’s 1862 victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla and New Orleans’ crumbling infrastructure?
Then Sinkhole de Mayo may be the party for you.
As you may know, a 30-foot-wide section of Canal Street near Harrah’s Casino collapsed into a sinkhole last Friday. A portion of the road caved into an abandoned tunnel that was built in the late 1960s, just a few hours after Mayor Mitch Landrieu and his infrastructure team were on site to inspect a weak tunnel wall.
In typically New Orleans fashion, a few people have found–in this pathetic display of public mismanagement–one more reason to throw a party. A Facebook event page for the celebration, which is scheduled for 4pm this Thursday, reads:
Come out to the first ever Sinkhole de Mayo. Celebrate another ‘Catastrophic Failure’ the best way we know how: dancing, drinking, and general revelry. Bring your instruments, sombreros and margaritas, bring your traffic cone pinatas, and your makeshift maracas.
Of course, such a party is not without infrastructural issues of its own. According to a post from event co-founder Chrissy Gross, the city is worried about the stability of the ground around the sinkhole and has advised against bringing a large group of people to the area. She writes:
Hey Everyone!
As this has obviously gone far more viral beyond a few friends joking around, there are safety issues we’re facing. The ground around our friend “Sinky” isn’t too stable and the city is (rightfully) concerned about 1000 people hangin’ out on it. We’re trying to figure out a safer place still close to Sinky that we can meet up. Keep an eye on here and we’ll keep y’all posted.
The organizers have not yet revealed where that safer location will be, but the information will be posted on the Facebook event page as soon as its decided.
While most locals would probably agree that fixing our dilapidated roads, bridges, water systems, etc. should be a higher priority than finding another excuse to drink and dance, it’s safe to say that such a thing would take a lot of time and resources. Until those get allocated, what’s wrong with having a little fun?
UPDATE: Event organizer Chrissy Gross has confirmed that the celebration will take place from 4pm to 8pm at Woldenberg Riverfront Park outside the Aquarium of the Americas. The location is just a few blocks from the Canal Street sinkhole.
