masquerade march

So, it's 5 in the afternoon on the Friday before the day of the big parade. Hundreds of folks, locals and visitors alike, suit up with a refreshing libation and go hang out over by the cemetery.
Eventually, as if pushed by some hidden hands, they all start moving in the same direction.

The Masquerade March is honestly more like a stroll that winds it's way through Old Town. I've always thought of it as practice for the big event. Everyone gets decked out in drag, practices the fine art of keeping their livers lubricated and warms up their bead-pitching arms.
It's really a lot of fun.

One thing I recommend not doing at the Masquerade March is telling the motorcycle cop at the head of the line that he's got a great costume. I don't think it was the first time he'd heard that but man, talk about no sense of humor.