Uh, Oh! Easter comes early this year after the first full moon in Spring. So, thta means that the celebration before the Lenten period of 40 days started early too.

Some years that wouldn't have been a problem. But, this year Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" came a bit too early for any risque behavior... at least on the Westside of El Paso.

Because it was very cold. It wasn't that we were barely warming up from one of our late winter artic blasts... but, the winds didn't calm down and so the below freezing temperatures had a wind chill of around 20 degrees.

Well, actually, the crowd was totally into partying and there was plenty of party to go around.

Perhaps the lines to get "in" to the clubs and off the street were a little bit more persistent and urgent. But, then again, the people out in the street off of Mesa in Kern Place were having a good time waiting for the next set of beads to drop out of the sky.

Of course, it may be that some of the revelers were ingesting large amounts of "anti-freeze" and so they didn't realize that it was really cold. And except for some of the performers and security staff... most people were just having another great Westside Mardi Gras.

We ran into Ernie from Radio La Chusma and he had just played outside during one of the first sets and he was so glad to be back inside and playing later at Take II's.

Bands were trying to keep up the spirit but after every number there were jestures that it was really cold and the smoke machines could have easily been pumping out snow.

But, with UTEP right nearby, the chances of Fat Tuesday's not being celebrated is next to none.

(Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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