“My son hasn’t been to a Mardi Gras since he was in diapers. We live in Nebraska and this is my first chance to bring him back. We left behind a blizzard and three feet of snow. I grew up in Mobile and came back over the years to visit my treasures who still lived here. Those were my great aunts, and I used to bring them to the parades until they were too infirmed to go. We lost my last treasure this winter. I am a single mom and can’t afford to be here, so we are camping at Meaher State Park. The first night it rained and we finally dried out. We love that park and the people are wonderful. I am happy to share Mardi Gras and a place I love with my children. My son started putting beads on little kids and it felt so good he kept doing it. We are taking of bags of beads and Mardi Gras to our town in Nebraska.”