Literally, "Fat Family"

In all the other Superbowl related build up, I didn't even think about the implications of Jefferson Parish pushing its "Family Gras" event on visitors. 

METAIRIE, La. - On Tuesday morning, Jefferson Parish leaders announced the talent lineup for their annual Family Gras celebration near Lakeside Mall in Metairie to be held on February 1 and 2.

This year's festival coincides with Super Bowl festivities and will be a two-day extravaganza of carnival and concerts. Family Gras will give visitors in town for the NFL's premier event a unique opportunity to experience Carnival parades since New Orleans parades are suspended for that weekend.

The line-up includes Amanda Shaw, who we've noticed will play anywhere anytime, along with several  acts I could have sworn had already died in one or another plane crash at some point.  So if you're in town to see the Superbowl halftime show, this event will set the tone quite well.

As always, though, our objection to the term "Family Gras" is the implication built into it that Carnival itself is somehow a non-"family" event which demands this artificial alternative. Anyone who has spent even five minutes near an Uptown parade route understands that "family" is central to the entire concept.











Local business and political leaders have spent a great deal of time emphasizing the unique opportunity this SuperBowl presents to showcase New Orleans to the world.

"The city is going to look spectacular," Landrieu says. "I know it's been inconvenient. ... (The Super Bowl) is a great opportunity to show what the city looks like (after) its resurrection, redemption, resilience — (and) it will not be the last one we get."

 Why would we want to include the negative stereotype that our signature annual event is somehow anti-family in that showcase?