University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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TOSty. San Diego's zany Doodah Parade inspired the addition of off-the- wall entries in Moscow's Mardi Gras parade. The crowd and this snowman were both amused. A Better View. For those who falled to get a seat in the grandstand, a little im- provising sometimes was necessary in order to get a bet- ter look at the Main Street action. Float Fantasy. Freshman design students in groups of threes produced 20 floats in two weeks. In the Kibbie Dome, Holly Rittenhouse works to turn an idea into a milk-carton- paper reality. Carnaval Couple. Beaux Arts Balls organizers spent the most money ever by impor- ting two non-local bands. Ken Johnston and Laurie Hustoft ap proved of the selections. Mardi Gras 25

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Ithough the term Mardi Gras liter- ally means fat Tuesday, for Moscow it translates into a wild and crazy Saturday in late February. It may not be Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans, but Moscow's black and white colors, wintry weather and university involvement make its Mardi Gras celebration unique. In 1979 Moscow resi- dent Cope Gale Jr. decid- ed to break the winter blahs by transporting a bit of what he had witnessed in New Orleans to Moscow. Gale donned a 20-foot tall “Grandma” costume Rodeoed Rainers. Lethal lassoing earned the Rodeo Club the Crowd Pleaser award in the Mardi Gras Parade. The Rainers were reportedly rustled out of town. 24-MardiGras and paraded in front of a downtown store whose front window had been converted into a puppet show stage. The following ytar, the imitation became the fledgling of an expanding group of friends who put up the money for a com- munity party and organized a small parade and dance. The university became involved in 1981, when art Professor David Giese had his students design and build floats from white milk carton paper to enlarge the parade. Giese also proposed the black and white color scheme for the day's festivities. Gala Giese. Art professor David Giese and his students needed more than 2,000 black and white balloons, yards of streamers and two days to transform the SUB Ballroom, “It was David who really brought elegance and magic to Mardi Gras. said Moscow businesswoman Charlotte Buchanan. Buchanan, one of the original Mardi Gras founders, suggested the addition of off-the-wall parade entries that first appeared, along with the paper floats, in 1981. The Beau Arts Ball was also initiated that same year. The ball is the only moneymaker to produce all Mardi Gras events, and it is a fundraiser for the Prichard and UI galleries. In 1985, a gong show was added in a downtown theater. canti, mandi party Each year parade en- tries, event participants and observers have in- creased, and the 1986 Mardi Gras was the best ever, according to Buchanan, now presi- dent of Moscow Mardi Gras, Inc. Incorporation became necessary after the Mardi Gras budget grew to over $7,000 and the event became too large for volunteers to handle. The festivities actually got started on Friday, Feb. 21 at the Prichard Gallery with an opening night reception for two exhibits. The crowd for Saturday morning's parade was smaller than continued

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Mardi Gras Mirrors. Although the sky was overcast and the paper floats were wilted from a light rain that had fallen all morning. this festive parade watcher sported sunglasses as part of her Mardi Cras attire. Poultry Prize. Seven parade judges named a this scowling giant chicken called “Poultrygeist” as Most Creative Float. Unsuspecting spectators had to dodge his wavering wings.