Mardi Gras Asheville

Mardi Gras Asheville photographs by Todd Smith

M

ardi gras Asheville, a made-toorder photo op for lovers of street theater on steroids. I’ve been an active obverver of this annual event for the past six years and have watched it evolve from a modest rag-tag of highly motivated revelers to a major league event comprised of thousands of onlookers and players. Even as the old traditional street fairs like Belle Chere and LAAFF are disappearing from Asheville (or moving to less ‘disruptive’ locations like Pack Square) the Mardi gras parade gets a little crazier and better each year. Here are my impressions of some of the colorful characters who make up its form and get to act out their alter-egos.

Todd Smith Asheville, NC 2017