NRICA: Mardi Gras

J.J. Caillier leads a conga line

Saturday, February 7, 2009

BANDS: Featuring J.J. Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts from Louisiana
and Slippery Sneakers

PLACE: CYO Center
EMCEE: WNRI's Jeff Gamache

King Jace contest sponsored by Dave Richards of WOON Radio

Clues to King Jace’s Identity

1. This southpaw's from the North, pa.
2. Doesn't fear cancer. He is one.
3. He is a 'king' of all media.
4. Has recently started going in circles.
5. Has attended many Mardi Gras in various capacities.
6. Tennesee'd and celebrated in a stadium.
7. Eats anything, loves dogs.
8. Works in Cumberland, Woonsocket, and North Smithfield. From none of them.
9. Once a mountie, made a presidential finish.
10. Has been a patriot, a magician, and a bridge falling down, but has never been to London to see that queen.

And the King is ... Steve Moreau (unmasked by Queen Irene Blais)

See what you missed last year! (Information on Last Year's Mardi Gras)

Mardi Gras Emcee Jeff Gamache

Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts -- Mardi Gras 2009

Ready for Mardi Gras (L-R): Committee Co-Chair Barbara Dixon, Irene Blais, Sue Bernier, Clara L'Heureux (Costumes courtesy of Harlequins Costumes, 97 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI)

MENU (Buffet served 6:30-8 pm)

Fine Catering by Russell Morin

Cajun Country Mixed Green Salad with Mustard French Dressing
Parisienne Bread
Andouille and Tasso Jambalaya (Louisiana ham and sausage served with rice)
Louisiana Meat Pie with Natural Gravy (traditional meat pie)
Chicken Big Mamou on Fettucini (sauce with peppers, onions, okra, chicken served on pasta)
Corn Macaque Choux (corn, onion, bell pepper, spices, tomato sauce)
Whipped Red Bliss Potatoes with Caramelized Onion and Garlic

New Orleans Bread Pudding with Lemon Sauce and Chantilly Cream
French Market Coffee

Articles

January 13, 2009 • Woonsocket’s Mardi Gras Celebration, The Providence Journal

Photos by Romeo Berthiaume

Mardi Gras Children's Celebration

Saturday, February 7, 2009, 1:30 pm
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs School Hall, 1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI

Costume Parade and Costume Contest
with prizes for Best Costume and Most Original Costume

Sponsored by Catholic Family Life Insurance, Chapter No. 2

Our Sponsors

Gold Sponsors ($1000+)

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

City of Woonsocket

Green Sponsor ($250+)

Soucy Insurance Agency

John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

Milford Federal

Friends

Romeo & Diane Berthiaume
Ray Gaboury
Roxanne L. Menard

Previous Kings & Queens

	1954 •	Pauline (Nadeau) Miller
	1955 •	Maureen (Mazzarella) Kennedy
	1956 •	Beverly (DiCesare) Russell
	1957 •	Pauline (Gagnon) Riendeau
	1958 •	Rita (Laliberte) Nadeau
	1959 •	Claire (Paul) Lafrance
	1988 •	Michelle (Lefort) Wheeler
Owen Bebeau	•1995 •	Gloria Jean Roy
Roger Nault	• 1996 •	Paula Rezendes
Al Auclair	• 1997 •	Roxanne Menard
Leo Fontaine	• 1998 •	Dianna Glassey
Roger Jalette	• 1999 •	Donna Gallant
Ken Bianchi	• 2000 •	Nancy (Melvin) Beauregard
Noel Pincince	• 2001 •	Suzanne Beaulieu
Dave Richards	• 2002 •	Lorraine Jacob
Roger Petit	• 2003 •	Stacey (McCutcheon) Fitzsimmons
Roger Bouchard	• 2004 •	Roberta Baillargeon
Tom Ward	• 2005 •	Joyce Laperle
Brian Blais	• 2006 •	Lorraine Guilbault
Marcel Desroches	• 2007 •	Nancy Phillips
Ray Gaboury	• 2008 •	Monique Noel
Steve Moreau	• 2009 •	Irene Blais

2009
Mardi Gras
Committee

Connie Anderson
Sue Beaulieu
Sue Bernier
*Romeo Berthiaume
Irene Blais
Sharon Charette
Lorraine Cloutier
Jeannette Cousineau
*Barbara Dixon
Marlene Gagnon
Joan R. Gahan
Wil Godin
Monique Jean
Jack Lawhead
Connie Lemonde
Clara L’Heureux
Bill Marrah
Ray Nolan
Bette Plante
Bette Jo Plante
Ray Rivet
Patrick Ryan
Brenda Viscione-Ryan

*Committee Co-Chairs

A SHORT HISTORY OF MARDI GRAS

Many of the traditions of Mardi Gras have their roots in a Roman festival called the Saturnalia which celebrated the end of winter and the coming of spring. Over time, and with the spread of Christianity, the festival became a final binge of feasting and self-indulgence before the sacrifice of Lent. In 17th century Paris, the celebration came to be known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday – a way for Christians to fatten up before the long Lenten season.

French settlers brought their traditions to Louisiana in 1766. By 1857, New Orleans began to develop its own traditions of masked balls, organized parades, and “throws” (favors such as beads, doubloons, and cups thrown from parade floats). In 1872, the King of Mardi Gras selected the celebration’s official colors of purple, green, and gold. The colors’ meanings were defined as justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold) in 1892.

In 1954, the Mardi Gras tradition was started in Woonsocket by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The four days of festivities earned the celebration the title of “Mardi Gras of the North.” The Jaycees’ involvement in Mardi Gras gave our king his name – King Jace.

Since 1995, the NRICA and the Mardi Gras Committee, with the invaluable help of our sponsors, have worked hard to bring the authentic feel and the fun of a traditional Mardi Gras celebration to Woonsocket.

Mardi Gras