The time is here to see hands raised in hopes of catching something good, hear voices screeching, “Throw me something,” and experience masses of people foolishly dancing around to loud music while floats parade up and down streets carrying crews of people out to have a great time. The sun beats down on large crowds of people drinking daiquiris and wearing the beads they caught, but the heat is no reason to back down from this long party. Mardi Gras unites a wide variety of people with the same intentions, to party.

The first time Heather Casey, history junior from Santa Cruz, California, experienced Mardi Gras was in New Orleans in 2001. She said she did not get any sleep.

“I was on a liquid diet. It was the best time ever,” Casey said.

She thoroughly enjoys spending time in “the city” for Mardi Gras. She goes every year and would not miss it for the world, she said.

New Orleans is not an uncommon destination for some students during Mardi Gras season.

“I just go back home and chill,” Christopher Cox, computer information systems sophomore from New Orleans, said.

He enjoys going to parades in New Orleans to have fun with friends and meeting up with people he has not seen in a long time.

While aspects of the Mardi Gras season are enjoyed by many, it is not fun and excitement for all.

Leith Adams, instructor of biological sciences, said he despises the “joyous holiday.” The only reason he is concerned about parades is to “know where not to go and when not to be there.”

In junior high and high school, Adams said he spent Mardi Gras carrying a 50 pound drum strapped to his back. He said he has seen people at their worst during those times.

“All I need is 200 drunk students coming to yell at me, telling me I failed them,” Adams said. “I’ll just drink at home and skip the harassment.”

Adams is not alone. “I hate Mardi Gras,” Jade Lafont, secondary education sophomore from Larose, said. “It is pointless. I don’t see the thrill in catching beads and all the parades do is create (traffic) problems.”

Lafont said he did not always hate Mardi Gras. He enjoyed the holiday in his younger days, he said. Now he said he would rather go out somewhere to have fun than attend the traditional Mardi Gras activities.

New Orleans is where Nakeshia Brigdewater, computer science junior from Baton Rouge, said she is going to party. She said it should be very fun, but she is going to be careful of the many drunken people that could cause some violence.

Sonia Daniels, art sophomore from Jeanerette, said she enjoys the parades in Houma, Thibodaux, New Orleans and back home in Jeanerette. Last year Daniels was unable to celebrate the holiday, though, because she was working at Disney World. She said she is certainly looking forward to it this year since it is her favorite holiday.

“I like catching beads and candy,” Daniels said.