Bethel Lutheran pastor brings bit of La. Mardi Gras here for 3rd year

BOARDMAn

In French, it’s “laissez les bons temps rouler” and in English, it’s “let the good times roll.”

That’s the theme of Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday. The name is derived from the tradition of feasting on the last day of carnival season. That’s before the fasting often associated with Lent, which begins today, Ash Wednesday.

Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Drive, observed Shrove Tuesday in its fellowship hall with feasting on pancakes and New Orleans-inspired foods and wearing of beads and masks.

The event is old home week for Pastor Richard Kidd and his wife, Shelia, who are from Shreveport, La.

“We wanted to share part of our heritage and give Shrove Tuesday a Mardi Gras flair,” Pastor Kidd said. “It was part of our tradition growing up.” He came to Bethel in August 2013, and this is Bethel’s third annual Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday event.

For more on the event, read Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.