Residents in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood got into the Mardi Gras spirit this weekend.
Samedi is French for Saturday and the folks in New Orleans made this the second most celebrated Mardi (Tuesday) Gras party behind Fat Tuesday. Oakwood neighbors kicked off their first official Samedi Gras Celebration Saturday.
The party included food, beads, masks, doubloons and a glorious parade down North Boundary Street to Leonidas Court.
This first Samedi Gras Celebration was dedicated to Raymond Rodgers, also know as Chef Rameaux, who passed away two years ago. During his many years as an Oakwood resident, Rodgers introduced Louisiana foods and the New Orleans spirit to his neighbors. In his honor he was posthumously named the King Leonidas the 1st. His wife, Peggy Beasley-Rodgers, was in attendance and she said Raymond “would just be thrilled” with this honor.
And the band struck up, “When the Saints go Marching in . . . .”
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