Mardi Gras 2010, came and went on the coast, and as true coast residents we attended. After 30 plus years of Mardi Gras I can honestly say I have seen them all. The good, the awesome, the drunk, the family ones, they are always fantastic. I remember my first Mardi Gras after Katrina. Not sure quite what to expect as the coast had been so devastated, crews had lost their floats, people were in trailers, and all monies were going towards rebuilding, I was a bit worried along the lines of floats or throws, or even attitude. But the crewes came thru with hilarious mocking of FEMA and Katrina and they party attitude made it all worth it, the coast spirit was terrific. This year, there were more throws that in the past 4 years, but honestly, to the people on the floats, it looked as if they had be sent to do a job, a job they didn't really care for. The floats were not fantastic, most just painted 1 color with no decorations, something you could pull off in a day or 2 with 1 or 2 people. It became more of a business marketing parade, rather than good ole Laissez les bon temps . roulez. It seemed only business dominated the parade, rather than the crewes who made mardi gras so much fun. Granted we had an unseasonably cool winter and it was still winter during Mardi Gras, however this kept up from having to endure scads of scantly clad 14 year olds more aptly dressed for interviews as strippers in Vegas. Maybe there wasn't as much drinking, or the funds weren't there for the floats, but it sure seemed a far cry from the ghost of Mardi Gras past. Don't get me wrong, mardi gras was good,, complete with a pauls kind cake and a grocery store bag full of beads. But seriously it felt like a chore instead of an honor, or pleasure.