Mary Tutwiler

A national holiday for Mardi Gras?

by Mary Tutwiler

Do Louisianians want to share the collective debauchery that is Mardi Gras with the rest of the nation? According to the Times Picayune, Zatarain’s, the New Orleans company famous for fish-fry, creole mustard and crab boil seasoning, has launched a petition to create a federal holiday devoted to merriment and misrule. To sign up, here’s the link to the online petition. Currently, the petition is at 1 percent of its 100,000 signature goal, which Zatarain’s president, Scott Bolonda, hopes to reach by Fat Tuesday, Feb. 24 this year. Can Yankees or Mid-westerners handle our outrageous celebration? Perhaps a bit of self deprecating humor and a good dose of satire might make everyone feel better this year.