As Louisiana citizens prepare for the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras, some students had the chance to experience the festival in Washington, D.C.
Louisiana senators and congressmen, along with other citizens, invaded the Washington, D.C., Hilton last weekend to bring together all that Louisiana has to offer.
A group of between 15 and 20 University students traveled to experience D.C. Mardi Gras.
Jacques Rodrigue, a business administration junior, has attended the festivities for four years. He said the experience is overwhelming because it is an opportunity to “rub elbows” with important people in Louisiana and government.
The three-day event allowed citizens the opportunity to network with people and have a typical Mardi Gras ball.
Rodrigue said Thursday night a group of bands played, and Mardi Gras participants were treated to a sit-down dinner Friday where the king, queen and royal court were presented.
Rodrigue described Saturday’s events as a typical Mardi Gras ball. The royalty threw beads, and there were “call out” dances where the men and women on court called out other men and women to dance.
Kim Payne, a fifth year architecture major, had the opportunity to participate in the events as royalty.
Payne was crowned the Ville Platte, La., Cotton Queen last October and has had the opportunity to visit other festivals, but she said this opportunity was her favorite.
“By far this is the best experience ever as visiting royalty,” Payne said. “We were showered like royalty with presents and other gifts.”
Payne said the visiting royalty represented Louisiana commodities such as shrimp, oil, cotton and sugar.
In addition to the main event planned each night, Payne also participated in daily tours of the White House and other landmarks and attended a congressional luncheon.
When comparing D.C. Mardi Gras to New Orleans, Rodrigue said D.C. is much crazier.
“You can stay in the hotel for three days and not have to worry about anything,” Rodrigue said. “The Hilton turns into Louisiana.”
Ross LeBlanc, a political science junior, said D.C. Mardi Gras was more proper, elegant, controlled and very formal.
LeBlanc said he enjoyed the chance to meet a lot of people and the state leaders.