It was more the vicious thunderstorms and lighting on the lake Saturday morning that postponed the First Annual Boati Gras parade. There were a few die-hards who showed up under the shelter of the marina in the pouring rain with food and beverage but no boats were to be seen, except in their slips.
Jim Staples, a charter member of the Krewe of Jesters, remarked, “It’s not a good day for paper mache.”
Boat Gras is still on, however; it is scheduled for Saturday morning, August 17th at the FFB Marina. There will be a little merriment and music at 9:00 am. The boat floats will line up just outside the marina breakwater and the parade will start at 10:00 am.
There will be a blessing of the fleet, the parade will go along the shoreline by the campgrounds, then by the swimming area and circle around by the marina inside railing. The FFB fireboat will spray an arch of water for the “cleansing of the fleet” signaling the end of the parade.
There is still time to be part of the festivities. Decorate your boat (as much or as little as you wish), get in line, have fun. After that have some Gumbo or Jambalaya at the marina offered by the Little Red Restaurant on the marina and then hit the lake for the rest of the day. That’s Mardi Gras: Arkansas style.
(I attached a photo of a few of the group that showed despite the rain and one of marina staff looking at the rain.)
Boati Gras Ball Went On Anyway.
The “Boati Gras Ball” at the VFW went on Saturday night despite the rain delay for the parade. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary rustled-up a great pulled pork dinner with all the fixings and dessert as well. “It could not have been better,” said VFW Commander Pat Hicks. “The Ladies’ Auxiliary is always so organized and efficient. Their dinners are always “slap your mama good.”
After the dinner, the tables were cleared and the hall decorated in Purple, Green and Gold. The group “Sudden Impact” from Mountain View took the stage and rocked the house. They performed an amazing version of “Mustang Sally” and generally rocked the house with classic rock and some country music.
(I attached photos of some Boati Gras people in front of the band, their spouses – groupies, and the ladies working in the kitchen.)
