Holidazzle, Arizona style

Every year since 1992, over 300,000 spectators converge on downtown Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall to celebrate the Holidazzle Parade. It's an annual event that's not to be missed. Sponsored by local businesses, participants are all locals. It brings community together year after year, delighting young and old alike.

 

 

 

Adults, kiddies and tiny tots come bundled in jackets with furry hoods, warm knitted mittens and scarves, carrying blankets to sit on or wrap around themselves as they are delighted by one float after another.

Beautiful light displays slowly advance down the mall, marchers warming heart and soul with smiles, waves and laughter. It is a winter tradition bringing folks from miles around to enjoy the hour-long festive event.

 

Well, here in the Arizona desert, we have our own Holidazzle. Okay, a bit smaller in scale, but the lights, decorations, waves and laughter are all there, not to mention the holiday spirit.

 

That is white rock on the ground, not snow!

Yes, folks, it's a golf cart parade!

Sixteen golf carts joined in this year, weaving in and around every street in the resort park. Some had lighted Christmas trees on top, and all were decorated with lights, wreaths, jingle bells and garlands.

Christmas music played from a few of the carts and if you were lucky, one would pass by throwing Christmas candies. Why, even Santa himself was there, riding in a cart alongside Mrs. Claus.

No Parkas found here; no folks bundled in blankets, no frosty breaths. No snow, no rubbing hands together, no stomping feet. Arizona's answer to winter.

Although I miss the Holidazzle parades at home in Minnesota, this one warmed my heart all the same.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season and taking time to participate in a few festive events.

 

Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras Day!

According to Wipedia, Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday,  referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

We had our own carnivale right here at The Resort in Mesa, Arizona.

Who knew?

Residents staked out their spots early to watch the festive Mardi Gras parade, and lawn chairs could be seen lining the streets of Clubhouse Boulevard. 

The parade was set to snake up the north side of the boulevard and then around and down the south side. We sat on the south side and we could hear the parade approach around the corner, heading our way.

The excitement grew.

And then, there they came. Led, naturally, by the American flag. All stood up, removed their caps and saluted, as protocol for any decent, upstanding parade. The Canadian flag was also proudly carried as there are many snowbirds here from Canada.

The flag procession down South Clubhouse Boulevard.

The flag procession was followed by not one, not two, not three but five golf carts. All bedecked with mask cutouts, beads, crepe paper and balloons. 

The decorations weren't what made this cart special, 
but the women's faces were painted and their costumes were wonderful.  

And, of course, what would any parade be without candy being thrown out onto the street? We collected at least five Starburst candies, a few Tootsie Rolls and a necklace or two. Such a haul we made.

In costume, throwing candy and honking, were our favorite clowns,
Betty (left) and Thelma (right).

Thelma is our neighbor across the street and is the most fun-loving person around. Always game for a parade or a party. There are usually several golf carts gathered around her home, sometimes late into the evening, and we know there are laughs and good times going on inside.

One of these days, we'll crash the party and see for ourselves....

In the meantime, a good time was had today right here at The Resort, with our very own Carnivale.

And as Mardi Gras tradition dictates, we'll be having pancakes for supper.

Fun at the festival

"Grandma, this is a fun day!"

When two little 4-year old girls say that in unison, you know it's a hit.

We were having this fun day at the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival. Held in Rice Park in downtown St. Paul, it is sponsored by Ordway Center for Performing Arts.
The day is all about children (and learning, but that's a secret).

Together with performing artists from around the world, cultural music and dance events, international cuisine, demonstrations and hands-on crafts, children become aware of the world around, and beyond, them.
 


 The two girls enjoyed a live Ordway musical performance by Dala, a wonderful, young singing duo from Canada.

They not only entertained children and adults alike with their beautiful music, but they invited the children to come to the stage floor to dance and twirl.

They started the performance by emphasizing "this isn't a shush show." Clapping, singing along, and snapping fingers were all encouraged.

Many craft tents offered children the opportunity to use paper, glue, sparkles, beads, pom-poms, wooden sticks, and markers to use their imaginations and create to their hearts' desire. Paper hats, rockets, flowers, and even buttons the children drew themselves were seen, with the children proudly wearing or carrying their objets d'art. 

Two granddaughters (mine) working on their projects.

The outside of the nearby Lawson Building served as the dance floor for Project Bandeloop from California. A 20-minute, amazing performance involved the two dancers being suspended by wire rope from the roof of the building and dancing in mid-air, pushing themselves off with their feet from the side of the multi-story brick building.

Latin American culture was interpreted in dance. Performed by a local St. Paul group, their colorful costumes and lively dances were energizing and interesting to watch.

An exhibition of children's artwork from schools and community organizations across Minnesota was displayed throughout storefronts and skyways in downtown St. Paul. You could see these signs on every sidewalk surrounding the festival.

Crafts, face painting, outdoor performances, exhibits like the butterfly garden, take-aways for children, the parade...it is all free.  No admission charge. No tickets to buy. No rides. No carnival atmosphere. No charge for face painting.

International and local food is available for purchase, but picnicking is encouraged, and seating is provided for all, right in front of the Flint Hills World Stage...where performances are, of course, free.

 

It is Ordway Center's gracious gift to Minnesota, and a generous gift to our community. 

I know two 4-year old girls and their Grandma are very grateful. My son and daughter-in-law agree as together we joined in the celebration of children around the world.

I can certainly see why my little girls considered it a "fun day." 

And I'd be hard-pressed to say who enjoyed it more.

Mardi Gras in Lindstrom

Let the good times roll!
Our Park Street neighborhood was transformed yesterday as we celebrated Mardi Gras right here in Lindstrom, Minnesota.

And I do believe you would think it was February in New Orleans.


It even started with a parade.

Masks and costumes were worn by all the guests.

Nawlins cuisine was served: shrimp, seafood stuffed shells and crab dip with crackers. Frozen strawberry Daquiris (for the adults, of course), jambalaya, gumbo with rice, King's cake for dessert.

There was lively dancing in the street, and games and prizes for all ages. We all played Bingo, and I never knew there were so many versions: 4-corners, postage-stamp, x's and cover-all.


Our hosts were our good
friends and neighbors
par excellence,
the Pahls.



At 9:00, when it grew dark, the yard lanterns were lit. Children waved laser wands that lit up in the dark.

Then came the fireworks. Ah, what a glorious fireworks display they were. They couldn't have been better in New Orleans.




What a grand finale to a fun August celebration.