Fat Tuesday is usually one the biggest parties in the country in almost every city or state, but Bakersfield’s events turnout was on a smaller scale. A lot of people didn’t know that there were Mardi Gras parties in Bakersfield to attend, while others did not know what it was or did not celebrate it.
“I never heard about anything here. I didn’t know there was a Mardi Gras even in Bakersfield. I’m not 21 yet, so I can’t drink that may be why I didn’t know,” said Crystal Lands, 20, Forensic Toxicology major.
Nathan Auman, 21, explains what Mardi Gras meant to him and recollected the extravaganza he went to the year before, “It just means having fun like I did last year at the lingerie and soap party I went to. But this year I’m not going to be doing anything.”
One student excited about the Fat Tuesday celebration was Sydney Jensen, 21, who explained what Mardi Gras meant in her opinion.
“To me it means party; celebrate New Orleans, boobs and boobs galore!” Jensen said. She explained what her plans for this year’s festivities were; “I’m going to throw a Mardi Gras party with everyone dressed in colorful masks.”
Besides the party Jensen is throwing at her home, Fishlips Bar and Grill, in Downtown Bakersfield had a Mardi Gras themed bash. The bar had a large portion of seats filled at the tables and bar.
Hilary Brown and her friend, whose boyfriend was in one of the bands performing, Dub Seeds, said this year was her 1st time celebrating Mardi Gras at Fishlips.
“I heard about it through my friend because her boyfriend is in the band, that’s performing next, Dub Seeds.”
Although it was her first time partying at Fishlips, Brown said that she celebrates every year.
“I’m not from here, I’m from Santa Maria, well Santa Barbara it’s just like a little Bakersfield,” she said as she chuckled to herself.
Across the bar, in the booths section, two ladies with reserved tables rocked to Dub Seeds, who performed on stage. Brianna Among and Courtney Meza, are somewhat veteran’s to Fishlips they shared. Among said after she finished listening to the band’s song, “Once or twice a week, I’m here because I do open mike night, but this my first Fat Tuesday here though.”
Her friend Meza stated, “I have been coming here four or five times a week for the last four years, I can’t exactly remember because I was pretty wasted, what happened at last year’s Mardi Gras, but so far its turning out to be better than this year’s.”
Another happening in Downtown Bakersfield in honor of Mardi Gras was at a new place, Ink Bar and Nightclub that was hosting its very first Mardi Gras function, where there was a small crowd of party-goers at the door, showing ID as well as ordering taco’s from the Bar’s catering service provided to go with their drinks.
Edgar Gonzales, 28, Communications major at Bakersfield College, stated that this was his first Mardi Gras Party at the Ink Bar.
“I’m with Spank Entertainment Promotions, and I actually did a lot of the promoting and organizing for this Mardi Gras theme here tonight.”
Ink Bar had waitresses in black dresses with colors of Mardi Gras intertwined in various different ways. Although the building was not packed, there were two levels to the Ink Bar and the downstairs area was where the dance floor was located as well as the drink filling station the waitresses came from.
The festival at this particular bar was scheduled for the last call to be at 1:45 a.m. with people already feeling the carnival-like celebration.