Sure, it’s early, but who cares? Happy Mardi Gras! Hundreds of people of all ages cheered, screamed, raced to pick up candy and beads and danced to exuberant New Orleans jazz today in downtown Fayetteville, and I was smart enough to join them.

Regretfully I must admit it was my first real Mardi Gras parade — and half of my family’s from New Orleans! Disgraceful. I know it was only a sliver of the revelry coming soon on Bourbon Street, but it was still a good time.

It was a balmy 60 degrees, though even that isn’t warm enough for some Southerners.

The parade was infused with Brazilian influences, like the people practicing capoeira above. Carnaval, of course, is also going on as I type.

If you missed it, Fayetteville’s having another parade Tuesday night, with a bit more of the drunken raucousness befitting Mardi Gras, I imagine. Otherwise I hope your town marks the occasion.

Thanks for looking!

Dan