L.I.P.S. Survives the Saintsational Canal St. Ferry for the Saints Victory Parade; February 9th, 2010

L.I.P.S. Survives the Saintsational Canal St. Ferry for the Saints Victory Parade
February 9th, 2010
 

Photos: Lasting Images Photography Services, LLC- (L.I.P.S)
 

The events of Mardi Gras always do bring a crowd, thats a given. But what of the truly historic, story for a lifetime events, such as the Saints winning the Super Bowl? That makes Mardi Gras of yore pale in comparison to the massive throng of the Westbank Saints fans heading out en masse to the Algiers/Canal St. Ferry.

 

Down the Algiers levee, in lines about a half mile long, and stretching down both sides of the levee heading to the Ferry Terminal loading gates, the already cold weather made colder by the proximity to the river, moving very slowly as there was just one Ferry running back and forth to shuttle the massive crowd that just got larger with every passing minute, 200 people at a time.

 

 

Of course, the L.I.P.S Krewe was there, with fearless leader, owner, and head photographer Connie Buras, to brave the cold and the crowd, in hopes of making it to the Saints Victory Parade, and instead found themselves in the Ferry Parade instead, as an impromptu band, with maracas, drums,a horn, and scratchers began a familiar ‘Who Dat’ cadence.  Keeping the crowd going and the energy up, the cold, slow line began to turn into one large, hot party in slow motion. People were chanting, singing, and aggravation turned into jubilation as the party slowly wound it’s way to the Ferry Terminal.

 

 

Once inside the terminal, shaking off the chill, and as the heat from thousands of Saints fans filled the building, the band climbed onto a bench, and kept the good times rolling. Making their way into the increasingly narrow terminal gates, as the mass crowd shoved forward for each ferry as if leaving the  Titanic on the last lifeboat, brave L.I.P.S photographer/owner Connie Buras found herself flattened against the terminal gates glass window, but even that didn’t dampen the L.I.P.S Krewe spirits, as at long last, they made it onto the Ferry to Canal St.

 

 

Despite the boat being packed from aft to stern, there was a certain calm, as everyone took a moment to rest from the walk, and prepare for catching the last of the parade on Canal St. The second wind of excitement grew the nearer to the Canal St. Ferry landing, and the crowd on the boat gathered at it’s door to be released into the French Quarter.

 

 

Disembarking from the ferry was as crowded as the journey to it had been, but moved at a much quicker, excited pace. The other side of the gate was crowded with those who had already caught the parade, and informed us with the news that the parade had indeed already passed Canal St. and moved too far past for those coming to see it.

 

 

Never ones to let such a small thing as missing the parade they came to see daunt them in enjoying the moment, the L.I.P.S Krewe forged ahead through the terminal to the Riverwalk landing, and after taking some time to photograph the coming and going crowds, and other survivors from the trip across, they moved across the street to the warmth of the Harrah’s lobby where many other Ferry Parade survivors enjoyed the warmth as they came together, shared stories of the short, but meaningful foray across the river.

 

 

 

Few spirits were down as though the Saints Victory Parade was over, all knew that the journey in itself had held much more excitement than the parade had in it’s passing. Instead of down faces, or trodden spirits, all rejoiced in the accomplishment of being part of something bigger.

 

 

 

After warming themselves up, and taking a few more photos of the Harrah’s partiers, the L.I.P.S krewe headed back to make the last ferry back across the river and back home. The fun wasn’t over yet, as the same band that had accompanied them on the exciting journey to get across the first time, were in the same crowd turning back home. The thick crowd was once again crowded in the terminal of the Canal St. side, and slowly moving forward to catch the Ferry to go home. The new found excitement of getting home, safe and warm, began again. The band started again, as the chants swept through the crowd, and the last ferry docked.

 

 

The Ferry back home was even more exciting than the ride across, as the band kept the crowd entertained with cadence, chant, and even starting a playful game of limbo. The crowd was dancing, and everyone was laughing and partying.

 

 

The boat made it back to the Algiers Landing and as the crowd disembarked and dispersed, we were all happy to be part of a moment of history, the biggest impromptu parade the Westbank has ever seen, and an experience of a lifetime.

The L.I.P.S Krewe made it home, and is ready for next years Super Bowl Victory Parade. The moral of the story is…

If you can’t make it to the party you want, party where you can ! Till next time Geaux Saints!!

 

 

Images and Article; Copyright: L.I.P.S 2010

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~ by lastingimagesbyconnie on February 13, 2010.