A Beaded Twist

Story & Photos by Sherlene Ayala

Beads thrown from decorated floats on Church Street. Crowds of people leaping into the air hoping they are lucky enough to catch a set of extravagant metallic beads. Others standing quietly simply enjoying the festivities and the creativity of each float.

The mood is happiness, the vibe is positive, and the event is Mardi Gras. But we are not in New Orleans; this is Burlington, Vermont. This year Magic Hat Brewing Company and the Women's Rape Crisis Center (WRCC) celebrated the 10th Annual Mardi Gras Weekend festival in downtown Burlington. All the proceeds of this event go to the Women’s Rape Crisis Center.

Eager to get the beads

The birth of the Mardi Gras parade was 10 years ago in 1995 when Magic Hat designed the idea. At first Magic Hat collaborated with different organizations to host the event. One of these organizations was Vermont CARES, a local non-profit organization dedicated to AIDS awareness that provides resources, education, and services to the public. Three years later, Magic Hat joined forces with the Women's Rape Crisis Center, according to Shelly Williams of the Marketing Department for Magic Hat Brewing Company. “Since rape and alcohol have a direct correlation, it made sense to team up with the WRCC. Rather than shying away from this correlation, Magic Hat chose to take an active role to help their cause,” says Williams. This is the seventh year the WRCC and Magic Hat have worked together on this huge project making it what it is today. 

Mardi Gras in Vermont is distinctive and special in that it’s a family centered event. There are no expectations or demands for beads, no binge drinkers in the street causing ruckus, and there isn't any nudity. Instead, expect children in feathered boas to shove you out the way struggling for the beads and trinkets being thrown. Expect older women elbowing young college men over the larger beads, fathers proping up their children to get a better glimpse of the floats that drive down Church Street, and the WRCC volunteer’s standing along the parade route enjoying the festivities up close.

Although Magic Hat is the coordinator and founder of the event, the WRCC plays a major role. Jessie Holmes, Development Director for the WRCC says, "WRCC's role is to help distribute promotional materials for Mardi Gras, sell Mardi Gras merchandise, and find crowd control volunteers for the parade."

Waiting for more beads

Holmes says the Women's Rape Crisis Center has over 450 volunteer’s, most of which came from the surrounding area. Their duties included crowd safety and cleaning the streets afterwards.

Emily Kline, who volunteered with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars said, “As a volunteer I felt I had more responsibility of the little kids. It was a good experience because everyone was having a good time.” This was Emily’s second time at the parade, but is her first year volunteering. She will be returning next year to join the WRCC.

Marianne Wilkans, originally from Connecticut but currently studying at the University of Vermont also volunteered with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She has never been to Mardi Gras before but after volunteering, she said she will definitely come back next year. “Although it was cold, it was a lot of fun. It was good to see the kids having fun and everyone in a good mood."

Williams said, "Crowd control is always a huge concern but we have 60+ staff and 300+ volunteers to help, along with police and security. After 10 years of success, we are always fine tuning the process." Along with the crowd control volunteers, Magic Hat implemented a separate area of safety for children. "We implemented a little jumbalaya zone to separate them from the crowd a bit and ensure a more enjoyable experience."

Mardi Gras was designed to be a family oriented event which brings the town together and their mission is quite successful. There are a variety of costumes and designs in friendly colors such as pink, baby blue, orange, and purple. According to Holmes, "The relationship between the WRCC and Magic Hat works so well because Burlington Mardi Gras is intended to be a family and community oriented event."

Holmes combines the significance of the event and its relationship to the Women's Rape Crisis Center by stating that, "The WRCC strongly believes that consumption of alcohol can never be used to justify rape, sexual assault, or domestic abuse of any kind. Magic Hat Brewing Company agrees and this event helps to promote awareness about rape and sexual violence in Chittenden County."

Things to make you laugh

Mike Maciejewski, a student at the University of Vermont, and member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and 17 of his frternity brothers volunteered for the WRCC. “It’s good for us to get out there and break the stereotypes people have about fraternities. It’s also great to give back to the community.” Mike continued to say, “I had a great time. The kids were having a blast. Everything went smoothly, and nobody got hurt.” Mike is looking forward to volunteering next year.

This successful event which normally has a wild connotation has been nothing but positive here in Vermont. Families in Vermont are enjoying the weekend, friends are coming together, and strangers are uniting in the fight against sexual violence.

With the Magic Hat Mardi Gras weekend, you can expect nothing but a great turnout, because afterall, people who help others are always rewarded in the end.

Do you think Vermont can change the negative view of Mardi Gras around the world? Tell us about it!

“Date Rape Drugs 101”

You can never be too safe with the date rape drugs out there today. Here’s a little Drug 101 from the Women's Rape Crisis Center:

GHB (also known as liquid ecstasy, liquid X, grievous bodily harm, easy lay).

• Can cause loss of consciousness for 3-6 hours.
• Is a colorless and odorless liquid and is often carried in water bottles and other containers; has a slightly salty taste.

KETAMINE (also known as Special K).

• Comes as a liquid, white pill, or powder that dissolves easily in liquid.
• Effects are similar to those of LSD and PCP but last an hour or less; BUT your senses, judgment, and coordination can be affected for 18 to 24 hours.

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE BEEN DRUGGED

• If you've been drinking alcohol, and you feel more intoxicated than normal in relation to the amount of alcohol you consumed.
• You wake up feeling "fuzzy" and very hung over.
• You have memory lapses.
• You cannot remember what happened after you had a drink.
• You feel as though someone may have had sex with you, but you cannot remember.

IF YOU SUSPECT A FRIEND HAS BEEN DRUGGED

• Get your friend to a safe place.
• Stay with him or her at all times.
• Get medical attention immediately.
• Request that a urine sample be taken so that it can be tested for the presence of drugs.
• When your friend recovers, talk to him or her about the possibility of filing a report with the police.