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Is Mardi Gras in Wetumpka's future?

By Peggy Blackburn - Managing Editor
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A Wetumpka businessman is leading the charge to bring a new event to the city n an event that will be, in his words “all about fun.” Shannon Fontaine hopes to awaken the spirit of Mardi Gras in Wetumpka and is recruiting like-minded people to help organize a parade and ball for next Mardi Gras season.

“I’ve been thinking about it for two or three years n ever since we moved here,” said Fontaine. “It seems like something that would be fun to do in the middle of winter, and an overall fun addition to the city’s event calendar.”

Fontaine said the success of Prattville’s four-year-old Mardi Gras parade and Millbrook’s three-year-old one encouraged him to pursue the idea.

“Why not Wetumpka? If those communities are having a good response, we should too,” he said.

Fontaine’s goal is to have the inaugural parade and ball Feb. 21, 2009. Charter members of the Krewe of Toulouse will begin meeting soon to plan and start making preparations.

“The sooner people can get together and get organized, the better,” said Fontaine. “Something like this takes a lot of work n but it’s fun.”

Fontaine said he has already submitted a request for a parade permit to the Wetumpka Police Department.

“We have all kinds of parades here,” he said. “Why not a Mardi Gras parade?

Fontaine doesn’t expect a full-blown 30-float extravaganza to materialize immediately.

“The goal is to have one krewe right now, building one big float,” said Fontaine. “And we would like to have school marching bands and other vehicles participate.”

His vision of a local Mardi Gras parade is for a midday, family-oriented event.

“We don’t want to see anything rowdy, just a lot of fun for everyone,” he said.

Wetumpka Councilman Chick McConnell said the idea sounds interesting.

“I think anything that brings in tourists to spend dollars and causes people to come to our beautiful downtown area is a good idea,” said McConnell. “We have the perfect place. After the parade, people could gather in the park for other activities.”

Councilman Robert Hankins isn’t ready to offer an opinion on a new parade yet.

“I’d have to see the details first,” said Hankins. “We already have a tremendous number of celebrations here in the city. I don’t know about the city getting involved in another one.”

Councilman Kevin Walker said he is open to considering the idea.

“I’d be willing to look at it,” he said. “I think it could be good for the city.

“Mardi Gras parades have certainly been successful in Prattville and Millbrook and brought visitors to their downtown areas,” Walker continued. “It could be a boost to our economy and promote the city at the same time.”

Anyone interested in helping organize a local Mardi Gras celebration should contact Fontaine at 514-4457 for information.

“If someone calls, I’ll get an application into their hot little hand,” he said. “And I’ll get you on our e-mail list.”

Fontaine said he has also created a “MySpace” spot for the effort n myspace.com/kreweoftoulouse.com

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