Students enjoy the catering provided for the Mardi Gras event hosted on Feb. 13 in Garrett’s restaurant. Marcella Souza Freitas | Washtenaw Voice
Alejandra Smith
Staff Writer
The vibrant sounds of laughter and chatter filled Garrett’s Restaurant as students hungrily flooded in, ready to indulge in the tasty delights of the Mardi Gras event hosted by WCC’s Student Activities team.
The festivities kicked off on Feb. 13 with a conglomeration of food and activities. Student activities included mask-making stations, games, and educational activities for WCC students. The room was adorned with tables of foods ranging from paczkis to crawfish. The catering was provided by Red Lobster, Dom’s Bakery, and JJ’s Crab House.
Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday,” is the last day of the Carnival season associated with feasting before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the six-week Christian holiday, Lent. Christians who observe Lent commit to giving up a habit for the holiday.
Beyond the festivities, however, Mardi Gras at WCC is an opportunity to celebrate the world’s rich diversity of cultures and traditions. Christy Main, the supervisor of student activities and event coordinator, aimed to expose students to the rich New Orleans culture, stressing the importance of having new experiences and trying new foods.
“I think that it’s really cool that WCC hosts events like these,” said Michael Ma, a 25-year-old engineering major. “It’s my first time being exposed to Mardi Gras, and I’m having a great time.”
The event, which had taken three months of preparation, exceeded all expectations according to Main. While she was initially expecting a turnout of approximately 50 students, 109 students ended up arriving for the festivities.
Looking ahead, Main’s next event promises to be equally engaging. A silent disco is scheduled for Feb. 29 at Garrett’s restaurant from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., allowing students to come together and have fun. Food, mocktails, and games will be provided.
