Seeing the Sights at LaMardiGras Volunteer Fire Dept Fundraiser

And, POOF!  Just as quick as she disappeared, she has magically reappeared in your Inbox!  Sorry for the long absence, but sometimes we're out having so much fun, I can't get it all documented in a timely manner.  Unlike SOME of my good friends, who are sooo much more reliable, and manage to blog every.single.day!  Not naming any names, mind you, but Barbara, you and your cats entertain me daily with your travels, stitching and other antics and adventures.  Soooo, where did WE go for Valentine's Day?  Well, every day is Valentine's at our "house," so it was really "just another day" in Paradise, but we managed to reserve some time for another lovely dinner at Charlotte Plummer's, one of our very favorite seafood sellers.  We called for reservations early in the morning, but we were told they don't accept reservations.  Whaaa?  On Valentine's Day??  Well, we went anyway, expecting a bit of a wait.  We were not disappointed.  We were told the wait would be around 25 minutes, which we considered fair, considering how long the line was already, and how good the food was.  While waiting, we were treated to.....well, heck, I don't even have words....THIS:

Seriously.  What would YOU have written?  Not passing judgment, just sayin, that footwear was on a gent.  I tried to be inconspicuous as I snapped that photo.  I showed it to the Driver, and had to laugh when his jaw literally dropped and his eyes literally popped.  Never saw footwear like that before.  Nor since.  Shown below is the waiting "room," aka, unused bar area.  We've never, ever seen people in line here before.  Oh well, our fault for not getting there earlier, I suppose.  Although, the hostess did mention that it had been that way all day.  As always, though, dinner was fantastic, and I couldn't ask for better company.

So, what was LaMardiGras all about?  Well, we started with a parade.  Have I mentioned, we are NOT always early risers.  Puppy gets up about 7 am, gets walked (thanks, Honey!), then we laze around and often have a leisurely breakfast, long hot showers (thank you Newmar!), and by 10 or 11 or so, we walk the pup again and are ready to start the activities of the day.  Well, not THIS day.  Lamar is the town north of Copano Bay, which is north of Fulton, which is north of Rockport, which is where we are currently parked.  Lamar's population in 2010 was 636, and, personally, I don't think it's any more or less than that today.  We looked at houses to buy there, way back in 2010, but we didn't think there was much "town" and ya know - there still isn't!  

Wikipedia has this to say about the town:

Lamar was founded in 1839 at Lookout Point, on the channel entrance to Copano Bay. President Lamar agreed to relocate the custom house here, and the town thrived as a port and the site of a salt works. This prosperity ended abruptly on February 11, 1864, when the town was bombarded and practically obliterated by the Union Navy.

For most of the 20th century the population was less than 200, but by the 2010 census it was over 600. The restored cemetery is a Texas historical landmark. Goose Island State Park is within the CDP.

But, there is a volunteer fire department, and for about 18 years now, they have been staging LaMardi Gras as a fundraiser.  The event kicks off Saturday morning with a parade.  And, if you want a good seat, you have to stake out your space EARLY Saturday morning.  The parade lineup starts at 8, thankfully, we weren't IN the parade, so we could go about 10.  Plenty early to find a good spot.  Here we are, all lined up and ready for the first float to come by and throw us some beads.

Not sure what Larry was looking for (or at), but he was sure studying hard.

It seemed like forever, but, finally, the first group came along.  It was the Harleys, making lots of noise and throwing lots of beads.

Then came a couple of fire trucks.  Each one trying to outdo the others with their sirens.  I think there are a total of 3 fire companies in the area, and each one was well represented.  I hope no one's fire got out of hand, 'cuz we had all the guys in the parade.  We had Bailey with us, too, and she was NOT a fan of the sirens.

In fact, she was SUCH a non-fan of the sirens, I hardly got any decent pictures, and most of the video I shot was of the street, my feet or the phone tumbling to the ground.  There was a pirate ship at one point, and they were having lots of fun shooting off their cannon.  By the time they got to us, and shot the cannon off RIGHT.IN.FRONT.OF.US, poor Bailey was a nervous wreck.  She had managed to get her front leg out of the harness, and up into the NECK of the harness, so, of course, that added to her anxiety.  So, all that's to say, here are some floats; I have NO idea who they are or who they represent, sorry.  These are "chicks gone wild."

The Queen of Hearts

A tiny tot with beads to spare.

John Deere was well represented.

There was a whole group of Spyders.

A swamp buggy from Lamar Fire Department.  This is coastal country, winter home of the whooping crane, and as such, there are acres and acres of wetlands.  You kinda need a vehicle that can go places.

Somehow, Don got a margarita from the lady parked net to us and since he was the driver, he gave it to Lynn to finish off.  She pronounced it "just fine." 

Texas' most famous grocer, H. E. Butts was well represented too.  They had a giant-sized, self-powered grocery cart carrying employees down the road.  Beats walking, eh?

Afterwards, Larry and Sharon took us to the food tent.  They had been raving about the brisket tacos all morning, so we decided we should give 'em a try.  But then we found they were loaded with cheese, so that was a hard pass from me.  I opted for the ribs instead, and Driver had a brisket sandwich.  Sharon stuck with her choice of brisket tacos, and Larry went with ribs and a brewski in a souvenir mug.

Some people purchased special headgear for the celebration...

and then there was this guy, serving as a reminder of why we were all there.

Here's a breakdown of the cost to equip a firefighter.  Oh.my.gosh.  I had no idea it was so expensive.  This display really opened my eyes!  Remember, you can click on any photo to enlarge it (and make it readable!)

So, the parade was Saturday, and that Tuesday, we celebrated again at the local club's square dance.  It's not often they get to celebrate right on Fat Tuesday, but this year, it worked out.  We took all the beads we had collected from the parade and wore some and donated the rest to the club.  I guess I should have taken a picture of the heaping pile, but, lemme just say, we could easily have provided enough beads for a float of our own next year, thanks to the combined efforts of Lynn and Sharon.  (I had my hands full, literally, of squirmy puppy, so I hardly collected any beads, and absolutely NO candy of my own.)  Here we are at the dance hall, in all our finery.  Yup, dances here are casual, so no need to dress up in crinolines and lace!

Stay tuned for further adventures!  Grab a hamburger, there's lots to ketchup on!  ROF!!