Entertainment

Mardi Gras: Last Tipsy Revelers Sent Home, Trash Swept Up

Published

11 years ago

February 18, 2015

Revelers dance to a brass band in the French Quarter on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015. Revelers in glitzy costumes filled the streets of New Orleans for the annual fat Tuesday bash, opening a day of partying, parades and good-natured jostling for beads and trinkets tossed from passing floats. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

JANET McCONNAUGHEY, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mardi Gras 2015 is officially over and the last tipsy revelers in New Orleans have been cleared from city streets.

At the stroke of midnight, New Orleans police on horseback rode down the French Quarter’s main tourist thoroughfare, Bourbon Street, sending home the last revelers from the “Fat Tuesday” bash in this Mississippi River port city.

City crews before dawn Wednesday began sweeping up tons of trash, discarded food and plastic beads that had been tossed from the Mardi Gras floats during parades the day before. City officials have said up to 150 tons of trash would be collected — making it appear as if the parades never happened.

Each year, the unabashed Mardi Gras celebrations by costumed revelers mark the prelude to the solemn Catholic religious season of Lent.

And with temperatures near freezing on Tuesday, almost everyone was bundled up even along Bourbon Street, where costumes usually tend toward the skimpy during Mardi Gras.

“You can’t tell, but we’ve got Mardi Gras shirts on,” said Tiffany Cannon, watching Tuesday’s first big parade with her 8-year-old son, Eli, tucked up in warm layers. The youngster had a blue scarf over his chin and mouth and a large fuzzy hat to ward off temperatures Tuesday that began in the mid-30s.

No major incidents were reported Tuesday by police. But a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman fell from different floats in a truck parade in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said. The man was in stable condition and the woman was expected to be treated and released, said Col. John Fortunato, the sheriff’s spokesman.

Tuesday’s main celebration kicked off when a retired musician, Pete Fountain, launched a 10-mile stroll by his Half-Fast Walking Club through the city. Many fortified themselves agains the cold with a breakfast of sandwiches, coffee and brandy-fortified milk punch.

“There was beer and water, too. But most people stuck with the milk punch,” said Ralph Jukkola, on his fourth walk with Fountain’s club.

After Fountain’s group, major parades of Zulu, Rex and others followed down the streets, their costumed participants tossing trinkets and plastic bead necklaces to revelers lining the sidewalks and median strips.

The crowd was thick along the main St. Charles Avenue, where Zulu’s parade route merged with that of Rex, one of the most elaborate. Rex was followed by two long “truck parades” — floats built up from flatbed trailers and decorated by costumed riders.

Matching gray quilted jackets hid the gowns worn by young women on the “maids” float in the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s popular parade.

As Zulu passed, Ashley English said she was too cold to show off her costume.

“I have a corset on. You just can’t see it,” she said, pulling at the neck of her leather jacket. The corset was purple, she said, to go with her green and gold leggings.

Purple, green and gold were introduced as the colors of Mardi Gras in 1872, when a group of businessmen first crowned one of their own “Rex, king of Carnival.”

Because of the cold weather, many wore extra layers of sweat shirts and jeans under costumes made to look like clowns or animals.

Erin Buran of New Orleans wore a white jacket and feathery angel wings but didn’t mind the cold.

“My angel wings have tequila in them,” she said, showing off the mouthpiece of a hydration backpack covered by the wings.

___

Associated Press writer Stacey Plaisance contributed to this report.

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Alameda County

The Marin City Flea Market Is Back

The Marin City Flea Market returns on May 23, offering arts, crafts, vintage items, and collectibles. The market aims to uplift local vendors and celebrate cultural diversity.

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Customers shopping in Marin City Flea Market. Photo courtesy of marincityflea.org.

By Godfrey Lee

After a long absence, Marin City will once again hold its flea market. The market will have its grand opening on Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church parking lot on 101 Donahue St. It will be held every fourth Saturday of the month

The market will be free to the public

There will be arts, crafts, vintage, collectibles, and other items on sale at the market. Interested vendors can contact info@marincityflea.org or text (415) 484-2984 for more information.

“The Marin City Flea Market’s mission is to uplift local vendors, celebrate cultural diversity, and provide an accessible community space where creativity, entrepreneurship, and connection can thrive,” says their website, marincityflea.org.

The flea market is sponsored and run by the Rotary Club of Marin City.

For more information, contact info@marincityflea.org. Or text to (415) 484-2984

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Alameda County

Mayor Barbara Lee Declares ‘Delroy Lindo Day,’ Presents Acclaimed Actor with Key to the City

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee honored acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo with the Key to the City and declared “Delroy Lindo Day” to celebrate his contributions to film, television, and theater.

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee presents Oakland actor Delroy Lindo the key to the cCity Council chambers of Oakland City Hall in downtown Oakland. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

Oakland honored one of its most distinguished residents on May 6 as Mayor Barbara Lee presented acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo with the Key to the City and an official proclamation declaring “Delroy Lindo Day.”

The event, titled “Rooted in Legacy: Honoring Delroy Lindo,” took place at Oakland City Hall and brought together community leaders, artists, and young people for an evening centered on storytelling, cultural pride, and intergenerational connection.

Lindo, a critically acclaimed artist who lives in Oakland, was recognized for his extensive contributions to film, television, and theater, as well as his impact on the global African diaspora. Most recently the Oscar-nominated artist was recognized for his phenomenal role as a bluesman in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” a winner both critically and at the box office.

His celebrated body of work included roles in “Unprisoned,” “Malcolm X”, “Clockers,” “Get Shorty,” and ”Da 5 Bloods,” among others.

“He’s brought depth, inspiration, and authenticity to the screen,” said Lee.

The program highlighted both Lindo’s artistic legacy and his influence as a mentor. A centerpiece of the evening was an intimate fireside conversation between MLee and Lindo.

“I am a living, breathing example of somebody who has achieved the American Dream,” said Lindo. “The other side of that is I walk through the world as a Black man of African descent.”

At 5 years of age, Lindo played King Balthazar in a Nativity play. And years later on Easter of 1973 in New York the Negro Ensemble Company’s play, “The River Niger” left a great impact on him.

“Seeing that production and so many Blacks in the audience, gave me an understanding that maybe I could have a career as an actor,” said Lindo.

Students from the Oakland School for the Arts delivered powerful monologues, adding a dynamic and emotional layer to the program. The students’ instructor, Tavia Percia, chairman of the school’s theatre department, watched the performance proudly. Their performances emphasized the importance of arts education and demonstrated the next generation of talent inspired by figures like Lindo.

Five young men from All Tied Up Academy had the honor of presenting the “Rooted in Legacy” plaque to Lindo with Lee.

The evening also featured a cinematic showcase of Lindo’s work, offering a retrospective glimpse into his decades-long career.

The Golden State Warriors presented Lindo with a custom jersey, symbolizing the city’s appreciation for his contributions both on and off the screen.

The highlight of the evening came as Lee formally presented Lindo with the Key to the City and read the proclamation establishing “Delroy Lindo Day.” The recognition marked not only his artistic achievements but also his enduring connection to Oakland and his commitment to community engagement.

Celebrities, including filmmaker Ryan Coogler, congratulated Lindo via a video presentation. Lindo did not hold back the tears of gratitude. “I carry Oakland with me wherever I go,” said. Lindo, who is Jamaican via the UK, said he chose the Bay Area to call home with his wife and raise his son.

When young men who grew up with his son entered the council chambers, Lindo welcomed them to the stage for a hug and acknowledgement. “These young men are all honorable. I’ve watched them grow up, and they are the future,” he said. “These are three people that give me hope for this country.”

Addressing the audience, Lindo said, “You are part of the infrastructure of my life. My life would not be as it is without you. You give me more than I give you. Wherever I go, I bring Oakland with me.”

advised everyone to push past negativity of the world.

“Hold onto your dreams, particularly now in this country being fed the constant narrative that ‘we are less than,’ because we know we are more than. And kudos to Mayor Lee at the forefront for decades repping us for Oakland and America.”

“Everyone, hold fast to your purpose and charge as a human being and to the young; go for yours!”

Lindo thanked his many fans, friends, and family in the audience. Attendees included broadcaster Dave Clark, attorney John Burris, former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Dr. Albert Brooks who delivered his son, and First African Methodist Episcopal Church Rev. Rodney Smith. Screenwriter David Webb Peoples, who gave him his first film role in Australia, “The Blood of Heroes, was also in attendance.