Community Commentary:Local Bayou Bash traces back to Mardi Gras

The Costa Mesa Senior Center will be host a Bayou Bash on Oct. 6. Being the curious person I am, I decided to find out the history and meaning of Bayou Bash.

Its real meaning is traced back to Mardi Gras, which is held yearly in New Orleans and is one of the most famous carnival celebrations in the world.

In 1699, Mardi Gras was first mentioned in North America by a French explorer who was camped by the Mississippi River, 50 miles south of today’s New Orleans.

He was the first to bring the term to the United States. In his native country, March 3 was observed as a holiday, so he named the spot where he camped Point du Mardi Gras.

By the 1700s, Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans, somewhat more sedate than today’s festivities; the day was celebrated with private balls. The first modern-styled parade didn’t occur until 1857 and was arranged by a group called the Mystik Krewe of Comus. Krewe is a general name for the organizations and clubs that take part in the festivities, and they are nonprofit organization.

The floats were lit by torches and depicted scenes from mythology and literature, and after the America Civil War ended in 1865, more krewes sprung up, adding to the number of floats and balls.

Today’s celebrations are not that different from the ones in the 1860s. There are still parades full of floats and costumed people wearing purple, green and gold, and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. There are also balls each year. In fact, the celebration is so famous it has become a major tourist attraction for New Orleans.

One of the famous food traditions is the King Cake, an oval, sugared cake, sometimes with a plastic baby baked inside. The person that gets the baby is the “king” and has to buy the next round of cakes.

Also, there are Throws, where inexpensive trinkets are thrown from floats.

Our Bayou Bash

Oct. 6 will include Cajun-style food, river boat casino gaming, live music, dancing and a silent auction.

Admission is $50. Bring your friends and family and dine, play and dance the night away. For more information, call (949) 645-2356.

Sept. 1 and 2 we will be at the Orange County Marketplace selling ice cream. This is also a fundraiser for us thanks to the Teller family.

They supply us with the ice cream bars, which are dipped in chocolate, and nuts or sprinkles, and 100% of the proceeds go to the center.

Bring your family, especially your kids, and enjoy that old fashioned dipped ice cream bar.

The center will be closed Aug. 28, 29 and 30.