Fat Tuesday: Still Full Of Fun After 18 Years

Fat Tuesday, Seattle's answer to that ancient pre-Lenten bacchanal, Mardi Gras, is going on 18 years old and somehow still maintains much of its original post-hippie, take-it-to-the-streets flavor, even if much of it now takes place indoors.

When the weeklong celebration was initiated in 1977, it truly was a street fair, with thousands of merrymakers carousing up and down Pioneer Square's corridors, holding dances and strange races and interfering with as much traffic as possible.

That came to an end in 1979 when tens of thousands of largely lubed carousers went head to horse head with Seattle's mounted police. After that ruckus, the festivities moved inside, but really didn't quiet down all that much.

In 1995, that has become an advantage with the Square now boasting so many more establishments than in previous years. Recent radio spots advertising the upcoming bash, which begins Wednesday and continues through Feb. 28, have a Barnumlike sense of ballyhoo as they promise night after night of celebration in 15 establishments with a bazillion bands and all for just one joint cover price, a mere $5 Wednesday, next Thursday, Sunday and Monday, and $7 next Friday, Saturday and Fat Tuesday - Feb. 28 - itself.

This year's official participating establishments include the Bohemian, the Central Saloon, the Colourbox, Doc Maynard's, Dutch Ned's, El Lobo Loco, Larry's, the Merchant's Cafe, the New Orleans Creole Restaurant, Old Timer's Cafe, the Fenix, the Fenix Underground, Swannie's, the Pacific Brewing Company and Tony Roma's.

Sometimes other Square and non-Square establishments unofficially slip into the festivities as well. And there are still outdoor events including Wednesday's Slam-A-Clam in Occidental Park, the always exuberant Waiter/Waitress Race on Feb. 25, also in Occidental Park, and the People's Procession and Pub Run on Feb. 26.

Two of the best musical events are outdoors at Occidental Park. The Presidents of the United States, the Daddies, Leftover Salmon and Hit Explosion! play between 1 and 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and Po Okela, Andy O, Caribbean Superstars and the Sundance Rhythm Band take the stage between 12:30 and 5 p.m. Feb. 26.

Also expect the classic Fat Tuesday events. Fat Tuesday Happy Hour takes place at all participating establishments from 4 to 6 p.m. daily, the Mr. No-Fat and Spam Tossing Contests take place Wednesday, the Spam Carving Contest Feb. 25, the Miss No-Fat Contest Feb. 27 and the Grand Costume Ball Fat Tuesday night, Feb. 28.

Musically, the Blues Harmonica competition, the Sax Off and Jimi Hendrix Appreciation Night, which all take place Wednesday, remain consistent crowd pleasers.

Fat Tuesday morning, Feb. 28, the lovely Crow & West of KMTT-FM will be doing their 6 to 10 a.m. drive-time broadcast as live as they get from the New Orleans Creole Restaurant. The New Orleans Jazz Band will perform.

It should be noted that all this hedonism has a helpful side, too. Proceeds from many of the events go to aid Northwest Harvest, and it doesn't hurt to bring a can of food to donate when you attend any of these functions.

The Central Saloon is headquarters for this year's Fat Tuesday, and the committee chairman is Central co-owner Ken (Jomo) Ward. Call 622-0209 or 661-1283 if you have any questions about events registration or the like.

And, as always: "Stay Fat."