Zydeco music, gaudy plastic beads and Creole cooking. In Evanston? Yes, it’s Mardi Gras time, and even the home of prohibition joins in the celebration. There’s not too much in the way of Mardi Gras festivities beyond specials at local restaurants and a parade, but at least it’s something.
Historically, Evanston has been a conservative city with the influence of a large Methodist community, nine members of which founded Northwestern. Many of the city residents supported prohibition. An amendment to NU’s charter prohibited the sale of liquor within four miles of the university, which kept the city dry until the 1970s. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was founded here in 1874, and Frances E. Willard served as its president.
But on Saturday Mayor Lorraine Morton and Davis Street Fishmarket chef Charlie Raygoza led an annual parade through downtown Evanston. Onlookers were invited to join the Mardi Gras revelers, dancers, bead-tossers and Dixieland brass players. Afterward, the fishmarket hosted a crawfish-eating contest with cash prizes.
Mardi Gras, the French term meaning “Fat Tuesday, ” refers to a carnival period culminating the day before Ash Wednesday — the beginning of Lent. The celebrations are believed to have stemmed from pagan rituals that early Christian leaders in Europe decided to incorporate rather than abolish.
Evanston establishments are sponsoring more Mardi Gras events this weekend. Prairie Moon, 1502 Sherman Avenue, will host a Mardi Gras Masquerade from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight to benefit Better Existence with HIV; tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Dixie Kitchen, 825 Church St., offers free beads and masks to its patrons. And Davis Street Fish Market, 501 Davis St., features menu items from four New Orleans restaurants — K-Paul’s, Galatoire’s, Emeril’s and The Commander’s Palace — since the middle of the month.
