Saturday, February 06, 1999
Mardi Gras parade features colorful creations
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — It's as much a Mardi Gras tradition as bead throwing, loud music and drinking.
The Big Heads, 4- to 5-foot-tall papier-mache masks of everyone from President Clinton to Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, will kick off the MainStrasse Village Association's Mardi Gras celebration Friday night, as the restored German neighborhood is temporarily transformed into Bourbon Street.
IF YOU GO
|
The Krewe of the Big Heads Parade starts at Goebel Park at 8 p.m. Friday, kicking off MainStrasse Village Association's Mardi Gras.
The mile-long Grande Parade, featuring more than 40 units, starts at the same time on Saturday night at Jillian's restaurant, 12th Street and Interstate 75.
New features at this year's Mardi Gras include a third heated tent with live entertainment tent at Goebel Park.
Mardi Gras tickets for both night's festivities can be purchased for $8 at all Northern Kentucky Fifth Third banks before the festival. Single tickets are available on the grounds for $5 each night, starting at 7 p.m.
|
“It's the best festival they have down here,” said Gary Schutter, who works at Pachinko's in the heart of MainStrasse. “It almost seems like the crowds double from year to year.”
Helping enhance that tradition are the Big Heads, local bar patrons' colorful creations that seem to get more elaborate each year, organizers said.
Past entries have included Ricky and Lucy Ricardo; a garish Elvis Presley; Grateful Dead band leader Jerry Garcia, complete with Spanish moss hair; and most of the characters from TV's South Park.
“They're just funny, and they make you laugh,” said Ann Marie Scholes, owner of the Crooked Tree Gallery. “We starting making Big Heads last year, but ours are pathetic compared to Rosie's.”
At Rosie's Tavern, known as the unofficial headquarters for MainStrasse Big Heads, bar employees and patrons began planning their creations weeks ago.
“This year, we're doing the whole scandal bunch,” said Rosie's owner, Diane Gamble. “We're making heads of Marilyn Monroe and JFK, Bill Clinton and Monica, and Larry Flynt and a big-busted blonde.”
Other Big Heads in this year's MainStrasse Mardi Gras include a University of Kentucky Wildcat; Medusa, complete with snakes; a Teletubby, from the popular children's TV show; and Maxine, the crusty old woman of greeting card fame.
In the month before Mardi Gras, John Sims, a Northside resident who works at a florist's, becomes a Big Head maker by night. After leaving work, the 42-year-old joins other Rosie's regulars in the assembly line creation of Big Heads.
“When you wear the head, and you're in the parade whooping and hollering; it's just a good time,” Mr. Sims said as he dipped and smoothed strips of gooey newspaper over a troll head. “It beats sitting at home by yourself watching TV.”
With troll dolls experienc ing a resurgence, Mr. Sims figured the time was right to introduce a troll in the Krewe of the Big Heads Parade.
“I'm thinking lime-green hair, maybe 3 feet high,” Mr. Sims mused to no one in particular as he worked on the troll head.
Rosie's owes its success with the Big Heads to two main factors, Ms. Gamble said — the creative vision of bartender Tom Lynch, and the fact that no alcohol is served to the volunteer artisans until after they've finished working on the heads. Mr. Sims worked in between sips of grapefruit juice.
“It gets to be a bar activity,” Ms. Gamble said. “People see the heads, as they're going up and down the street, and they stop in to help.”
Over-the-Rhine residents: What about us?
Sentence reversed because judge cited Bible
Woman accused of baby-stealing try
Witness comes forward in 1992 beating death of boy
New inn on Fifth endorsed
Hand transplant raises hope for others
Mardi Gras parade features colorful creations
Mom ordered to stay away from abandoned baby
15-year-old admits role in fire at Wilson Jr. High
Ex-school official's case baffles neighbors
Lead-paint grants: Study, yes; clean up, no
Murder suspect's aunt says he admitted killing uncle
Rumpke permits take years
$13.6 million asked for road, water projects
Boehner gets on board in fight against train whistles
Court hears details of bank heist
Fairfield TV network is group's goal
Home could become stranded
Lebanon trooper tops in the state
Mason annexation still sought
Search fails to recover body from river
Self-defense class booked in Springdale
Settlement offered for chief's resignation
Stadium contracts monitored
Taft picks Democrat for unemployment post
TRISTATE DIGEST
