By Carol Fisher-Linn
How did Ellicottville end up with a March (not February) Mardi Gras Parade in the middle of our main street at night? Well, the parade was the peculiar, unexpected result of a conversation at Holiday Valley with Jane Eshbaugh when this writer approached her for help bringing people into town to attend the grand opening of the retail store, Kazoo II.
I was helping owner, Arlene Solly, launch her store in 1992 and there was simply no convincing her that Winter Carnival Weekend was the worst possible weekend for village businesses. People came to the ski areas and remained there all weekend. We needed to get skiers away from the slopes and activities and bring them to town. Jane offered to work with me in ways I had not expected. I wanted to give each skier a kazoo with a discount tag useable at the Grand Opening. But then – IT happened! I nonchalantly mentioned that it must have been such fun years ago when some of the activities took place downtown. “Didn’t they select the King and Queen in the Village Square?” I asked innocently enough. (uh oh – what was I thinking?) My mind wandered to the years-ago scenes of the fancy balls at “Hardware Heights” (above Adventure Bound) and the next thing I heard was my own voice saying, “why don’t we just have a parade?” Jane did not miss a beat. “Why don’t you?” said she. Before I could recover from what I had just done, Bobby McCarthy, who happened to be in the room when I arrived, offered to be “The Voice” for the event. It was over before I could finally come to my senses and say, “Faith and Begorrah” (instead of something less ladylike to my Irish friend). A parade was in the works. It was a done deal. There was, however, one small problem. Winter Carnival was three weeks away!
Now what? The next day, in the new mayor’s office, I listened as Mayor John Burrell reminded me of the challenges ahead (like closing a state road at night, permits, insurance, police/firemen, snow removal, etc. – which the Chamber now willingly handles … Thank you! Despite it all, he gave his okay, probably with his fingers crossed behind his back. On main street, a few business owners loved it – most wanted to string me up. Thankfully, help arrived. Despite the short notice, Ellicottville, being Ellicottville, came through that first year with 20 floats and marching units. Snow was knee deep but thankfully cleared by the village DPW (thank you, Dennis Linn, and crew) to allow spectators to stand four deep.
All these years later, the happy tradition continues. Store windows are decorated, music plays in the street, Mardi gras specials are offered and for weeks the air is filled with celebration and anticipation. Oldtimers tell stories, remembering their favorites: Phil, the Punxsutawney groundhog, the Chicken Wing King, Drew Cerza, and our beloved Edna Northrup, all serving at different times as Masters of ceremony; the giant Canadian Flag on the back of a pickup smaller than the flag; the Oscar Meyer Weiner car; the Menopause Maidens and their marching routine; the magnificent ski area floats and so many more wonderful participants too numerous to mention. Veteran parade attendees cannot forget our amazing and beloved Mardi Gras King, Ken Brown, who for years never disappointed us as he appeared in his outlandish glittering, lighted costumes, and giant ski gloves. Having left us exactly 11 years ago on the 22nd, The King is forever missed by those of us who had the good fortune to be his friend.
This year the Mardi Gras weekend is March 11-12 with the parade on the 11th, queuing at 6pm in front of Katy’s. Secure your place in line so you have front row viewing. Please remember to bring canned goods for the Ski Patrol’s annual collection for the local Food Pantry. Donate in front of Tops or at the parade where they collect along the route. Until the big day, here’s some music to get you in the mood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqZpVhFXcrk