Arkansawyers to Participate in the Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade
It is Mardi Gras time again in Ouachita Parish! February 11 is the date to mark on your calendars for the Monroe/West Monroe Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras parade. We are hoping for a big turnout this year as we had a down year last year due to conflicting dates with sesquicentennial events that were unavoidable. This year’s parade will coincide with the Army of Trans Mississippi’s leadership workshop being held at the Clarion Inn in Monroe, La. The workshop will be ending at 2:30 so bring your CONFEDERATE UNIFORM and head for the parade gathering site as soon as it is over.
There are a few things that need to be said about our parade. While, overall, parade goers are Confederate friendly there will always be some narrow minded people who will say things to our folks that are out of line. The response to these individuals is to smile and wave, smile and wave. Do not give them fuel to use against us. We do not buy insurance for the parade and couldn’t afford to if we were required to buy. As a result of this NO THROWS of beads, candy, or anything else is allowed by our unit. No exceptions. Remember, this is a Confederate unit portraying Confederate people, please come in period dress or uniform. Kind of looks odd in a bunch of Confederate soldiers when some guy with a flag is wearing blue jeans and a checked shirt. Also the owners of the float are asking that there be no smoking on the float due to worries about their flags getting burned. One last thing. If you decide to have a little too much to drink and can’t control yourself or you cause an embarrassing situation that endangers our participants you will be ejected from our unit and you can find your way back the best you can.
We do hope that you will come and join the Monroe and West Monroe camps for a fun night of marching, shooting, and hearing the shouts of Rebels! Rebels! as we meander the 4 miles of parade route through the Twin Cities. Bring plenty of rounds for your musket as we traditionally fire 60 to 70 times over the course of the evening. If you don’t have a musket stick your favorite Confederate flag on an 8′ pole and join the flag corp. We will have transportation waiting at the end of the parade to get you back to your vehicles.
The parade will begin at our usual spot across from the West Monroe health unit. To get there from I-20, get off on the Stella-Mill street exit and go south until you reach the first red light, this is New Natchitoches Road. Take a left at this light and go for about 300 yards and there we will be. I feel sure you will recognize our unit. Please come fill our ranks with enthusiastic Confederate soldiers and ladies.
Any questions, please contact me at 318-376-2898 or tcrusader@juno.com.
Thomas E. Taylor
Northeast Brigade Commander
Louisiana Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans
