Saturday, February 26, 2000
Mardi Gras in Covington next weekend
MainStrasse party may draw 40,000
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — For two nights a year, Covington's MainStrasse Village Association transforms its Main Street into Bourbon Street, luring up to 40,000 party-goers for the annual Mardi Gras celebration.
For attendees such as Wayne “The Flaming Peacock” Weber, winner of the costume contest several years running, it's a party not to be missed.
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IF YOU GO
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What: MainStrasse Village Mardi Gras 2000.
When: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 3 and 4, with parades at 8 p.m. each night. Live music, Cajun food and libations galore also will be available during the WEBN Dawn Patrol's 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 3 broadcast from MainStrasse Village.
Where: Covington's MainStrasse Village. From Interstate 75 take Covington's Fifth Street exit, or exit 192, and follow the signs to the village.
Admission: Advance tickets of $5 each night, or $8 for both nights, can be purchased at all Northern Kentucky Fifth Third banks. Single night tickets also can be purchased at the gates starting at 6 p.m. each night.
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“I specialize in theme parties, so this is high holy days for me,” said the 46-year-old Walnut Hills florist/decorator/wig designer. “This is a fun, fun parade that gives me a chance to strut my stuff.”
Billed as Greater Cincinnati's biggest Mardi Gras party, the fifth annual MainStrasse Village Mardi Gras kicks off at 6 a.m. Friday, when WEBN's Dawn Patrol hosts a live broadcast from the village, and ends at 1 a.m. Sunday. In between, revelers can enjoy marchers in elaborate costumes, entertainment in three heated tents, libations ranging from beer to hurricanes, nightly parades and beads galore.
This year, the MainStrasse Village Association started getting calls from prospective celebrants as far away as Michigan and North Carolina, said Kim Franzese, marketing director for the MainStrasse Village Association.
To accommodate out-of-town visitors, the Clarion, the Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn in Covington, as
well as the Amerisuites at the airport have arranged package deals for party-goers, as well as a free shuttle to and from Amerisuites.
Among this year's 18 floats will be the Covington FOP's 10-foot-tall, glittery, fire-breathing dragon, complete with eyes that light up and a head that gives off smoke.
Friday's main attraction is the Big Heads parade, with papier mache heads of everyone from the lead singer of Kiss to politicians. Saturday's Grande Parade features floats, costumed characters and a king and queen elected Friday to ride on the Ship of Fools. Both parades start at 8 p.m.
“A lot of people come down for the Big Heads, because it's not something you normally see,” Ms. Franzese said. “And beads are always a draw. People want to see who can get the most beads.”
Unlike most Mardi Gras celebrations, where participants are encouraged to show some skin in exchange for throws, or beads, Covington works to keep its party clean, Ms. Franzese said.
“More than 50,000 throws will be given out during the parade,” Ms. Franzese said. “But we just throw them. We don't make you do anything for them.”
Covington police also will be stationed throughout the Mardi Gras area to keep the party under control, she said.
Mr. Weber, who will march as the Sun Goddess on Friday and the Flaming Peacock on Saturday, still has fond memories of his first costumed walk down Covington's Main Street.
“I don't have to be on a float,” he said. “I'm a float myself. I will sparkle as the Flaming Peacock.”
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