'Let the good times roll'

HURON — "Laissez les bons temps rouler" — it's a French-Cajun phrase meaning "Let the good times roll" that's synonymous with the Mardi Gras celebration. But for one Huron woman, Mardi Gras is not just a celebration — it's a way of life. Dixie Vermeeren grew up in New Orleans, often described as the central hub for all things Mardi Gras in the United States. Vermeeren has many fond memories of her family celebrating Mardi Gras, especially the times her family would rent a place located in the French Quarter overlooking Bourbon Street. She recalled Mardi Gras 1998, when Dixie's brother-in-law asked her husband if he would like to ride in the float. "My husband was all dressed up — mask and all — and purchased his own 'throws' to give to the crowd as the float goes by," Vermeeren said. Mardi Gras, a once-exclusive celebration for New Orleans high society, has changed over the years and become more accessible to the public. "It's much more inclusive," Vermeeren said, adding that the annual celebration retains a lot of its traditions. As the phrase goes, "let the good times roll" is a feeling everyone should be able to experience regardless of status, a statement with which Vermeeren wholeheartedly agrees. "My husband refers to it as the world's largest nonsensical party," Vermeeren said. "It's a very welcoming atmosphere with so much history behind it." A colorful history The celebration of Mardi Gras refers to the events of the Carnival celebration. "Mardi Gras" is French and translates to "Fat Tuesday," a time when people can indulge in their favorite foods before the season of Lent, according to the official Mardi Gras New Orleans website. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to medieval Europe, where it was celebrated in Rome and Venice before eventually settling in France. The first instance of the celebration in the United States was when in 1699, when French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville first arrived at a plot of land about 60 miles south of New Orleans, later named "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when he realized that it was the eve of the holiday back in Europe. In 1702, Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane," now Mobile, Alabama. By 1703, America's first Mardi Gras was celebrated. A year later, Mobile created the very first secret society similar to current Mardi Gras krewes. Krewe members on floats would throw various items out to parade-goers; these "throws" are commonly beads, stuffed animals, plastic cups and even handmade trinkets. New Orleans was established in 1718 by Bienville. By 1730, Mardi Gras was widely celebrated within the area. Many would participate in high society balls, a model for those that remain today.