Fresno: Masks, Music, and Museums

Fresno’s Multifaceted Mardi Gras: Masks, Music, and Museums

You think Mardi Gras is just beads and singining the blues? Wrong! Dead wrong! It’s a chance to escape the LA smog, maybe see some actual stars in the sky, and definitely hear some killer tunes. Plus, they got parades! The Great Gatsby Parade, the Parasol Grand Parade, the Costume & Masquerade Parade– it’s like a regular fashion week, but with more feathers and less attitude (probably). Now, he thought, this is important: you can’t just go to Fresno for four days and only do Mardi Gras. You gotta diversify your cultural portfolio, people! You’re in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, where agriculture is top of mind. You gotta check out some farms, see where those raisins come from. Maybe even learn how to prune a grape vine. He was serious! It’s educational!

Fresno’s got some hidden gems. Hit up the Fresno County Historical Museum. Learn about the pioneers, the farmers, the folks who built this valley. It’s good for the soul, trust him. Plus, it’ll give you something to talk about besides beads and booze. Then, there’s the African American Historical & Cultural Museum. Important stuff, people. Real history. It’s a chance to learn about the contributions of African Americans to this region, to understand their struggles and triumphs. It’s not all just jazz music, you know. (Although, the jazz is pretty damn good.) Look, he mused, he’s not saying you gotta ditch the Mardi Gras. Go for it! Get your beads, get your masks, get your groove on. But afterwards, take a breath, explore a little. See what Fresno has to offer beyond the party. You might be surprised. You might even learn something. And hey, if you see him there, come say hi. He’ll be the guy with the ironic “I ❤️ Raisins” t-shirt.