First Ever 'Mardi Gras Crawl' Success For Franklin Street's Comeback
By: Casie Mason
Updated: February 9, 2013
You're probably used to seeing Franklin street crowded for the Fall Festival. Now businesses would like crowds in the winter. The 'Mardi Gras Crawl' is in full swing tonight. It's the first time to celebrate Fat Tuesday on West Franklin Street. It's been a few months since four business owners on Franklin Street came together as the 'Franklin Street Events Association.' The goal? To make West Franklin one of the Tri-State's most popular spots. Tonight the group has showed it's success as the first ever 'Mardi Gras Crawl' is in full swing.
"I was like hey guys I've got this idea, and over a glass of wine we formed an association.," says Vice President of the Franklin Street Events Association Amy Word. It's been about two months since Amy Word and three other business owners decided it was time Franklin Street became an Evansville hot spot once again. "When you love what you do, it doesn't seem like work, and we are all passionate about this. We are passionate about our city, we are natives, this is our home town, so this is something we want to see happen. So, we are happy to do it," says Word, and tonight for the first time ever Franklin Street is home to the 'Mardi Gras Crawl.' "People are just, they've jumped on board like crazy. It's been awesome to see the community come together to support something," says Word. "I think it's going to bring a lot of business and awareness to all the places on Franklin Street," says West sider Jill Cape. "Probably just everyone's in a good mood and it seems to be a good time for sure," says Newburgh resident Sam Horndeck. Cajun themed decorations, and enough oysters to last the night, have people in the neighborhood glad to see more business. "We we're going to go out and get something to eat and hopefully get something of the Cajun menu." We're told it's a small part of the big plan for Franklin Street. "We just want everyone to come out, support their local business owners, come appreciate the treasure that we have and come have fun with us."
Tonight's Mardi Gras Crawl will be going until two a.m. The Franklin Street Events Association tells me this is not their last party party to plan. If you have a good idea, they're posting ideas on their Association's facebook page.
"I was like hey guys I've got this idea, and over a glass of wine we formed an association.," says Vice President of the Franklin Street Events Association Amy Word. It's been about two months since Amy Word and three other business owners decided it was time Franklin Street became an Evansville hot spot once again. "When you love what you do, it doesn't seem like work, and we are all passionate about this. We are passionate about our city, we are natives, this is our home town, so this is something we want to see happen. So, we are happy to do it," says Word, and tonight for the first time ever Franklin Street is home to the 'Mardi Gras Crawl.' "People are just, they've jumped on board like crazy. It's been awesome to see the community come together to support something," says Word. "I think it's going to bring a lot of business and awareness to all the places on Franklin Street," says West sider Jill Cape. "Probably just everyone's in a good mood and it seems to be a good time for sure," says Newburgh resident Sam Horndeck. Cajun themed decorations, and enough oysters to last the night, have people in the neighborhood glad to see more business. "We we're going to go out and get something to eat and hopefully get something of the Cajun menu." We're told it's a small part of the big plan for Franklin Street. "We just want everyone to come out, support their local business owners, come appreciate the treasure that we have and come have fun with us."
Tonight's Mardi Gras Crawl will be going until two a.m. The Franklin Street Events Association tells me this is not their last party party to plan. If you have a good idea, they're posting ideas on their Association's facebook page.
