Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade

By Adriana Ovalle / aovalle@smu.edu

Oak Cliff residents crammed the sidewalks earlier this month for the fifth annual Mardi Gras parade. As an attendee for a third year in a row, all I can say is, it just keep getting bigger and better.

Nearly 60 entries lined up to participate in the mile long parade on Feb. 10, beginning from Davis Street and Rosemont Avenue, and ending at Bishop Avenue in the arts district.

Bike Friendly Oak Cliff put the pedal to the metal, leading other floats, car clubs and marching bands in tossing out colored beads and coins.

“Beads! Beads!” shouted the crowds. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people attended the parade said Amy Cowen, an organizer with the event sponsor Go Oak Cliff.

As I ran into the street to take a few photos of the crowd (and pick up beads of course) I spotted an SMU alumni, I signaled his way and threw up my pony up. Replying with his pony up, he shouted, “I graduated 10 years ago, and so did my wife,” pointing to her.

I was proud to see Hispanics from the community representing SMU at the parade.