Organizers of Mead Road Mardi Gras seek someone to take bedazzled baton
Kate Galatas (left) and her husband Blane march down Oakview Road. File Photo by Jonathan Phillips
This story has been updated.
Decatur, GA — Emily and David Berg hail from Baton Rouge, La., and moved to Decatur in 1996.
They brought a part of Louisiana with them. The Bergs had kids, and in 2005, when the oldest was in Kindergarten, they began to host a Mardi Gras party at their home on Mead Road. The parade, inspired by homesickness, began as a small gathering in the Bergs’ living room. As their kids grew, the party grew, and things took off in 2013 when they moved the party from Tuesday to Saturday.
“We had 100 people in my house,” Emily said. “Well, we were like, you know what? This could be something. Maybe this could be a fundraiser.”
Mead Road Mardi Gras co-founder Emily Berg warms up on the snare drum before the parade. File photo.
The Mead Road Mardi Gras parade became a community staple of Decatur and the Oakhurst neighborhood. As costumed revelers on decorated floats threw plastic beads to the crowd, the parade organizers threw money at the Decatur Education Foundation, money that’s spent on art and music grants in City Schools of Decatur. Since 2014, the parade has raised over $40,000 for DEF, raising the money via donations, krewe fees, and sponsorships.
“It was the most organic growth of an event,” Emily said. “We never imagined it would get to be as big as it is or as loved as it is. Mentally, we all felt like when our kids graduated, we’d want it to pass on to new people, new energy and new blood.”
The time has come and the Bergs and their collaborators, Erin and Mike Murphy, are looking for a new family to take the parade over for next year. If no one steps up to organize the parade, the Mead Road Mardi Gras parade will march into local history on Feb. 4, 2023.
Anyone interested in taking it over should email Emily Berg at [email protected].
Emily cautioned that the parade requires more than telling people where to stand in line. It requires managing a group of volunteers and maintaining relationships with the business community.
“It’s something that has to be worked on all year, since you’re trying to build sponsorship and relationships,” Emily said.
Mike Murphy (right) lifts his daughter Teagan into a crawfish boiling pot. File Photo by Jonathan Phillips
Erin, who works for DEF, and Mike Murphy, a local accountant, helped the Bergs turn the parade into a nonprofit event.
“We’re neighbors to the Bergs,” Erin said. “We’re good friends with them. Emily and I were pregnant with babies — her third, my second — together. They’re both seniors in high school this year. Our babies grew up doing this thing.”
Erin said the event is fun but requires work, too. Erin and Emily said anyone interested in taking over the event won’t start from scratch, however.
“The nice thing, and the reason we hope someone will pick up the bedazzled baton, is we’ve generated this energy around it now,” Erin said. “We have people who know what they need to do, and they just do it … The pieces of the puzzle are in place. We just need someone who’s ready to carry it on.”
Emily said she’s willing to assist anyone who wants to lead the parade after she steps aside.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Emily said. “If someone were to step up, I would be happy to be a worker bee to help out. It’s time for a new queen bee. It needs more attention than I can give it.”
The 2023 Mead Road Mardi Gras lines up at the 4/5 Academy on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. For more information, click here.
It could be the last time the good times roll down Mead Road, unless someone picks up that bedazzled baton.
Here are photos from previous Mead Road Mardi Gras parades:
Members of Weapons of Brass Destruction play in the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Naomi Weisinger, 6, wore a squid hat and threw candy while walking in the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Cora, 3 and Sophie Haas, 1, watch the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
The Decatur High School drumline plays during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
The Westchester Elementary mascot gives paw bumps during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Teacher Dayna Straus (center) walks with the Clairemont Elementary Krewe during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Eileen from the Oakhurst Elementary Krewe tosses beads to the crowd during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
The Oakhurst Elementary Krewe is ready to roll during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Amaya Credi, 5, is loaded down with beads during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Michelle Alexander watches the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade in Oakhurst on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
The 2020 Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade judges.
Arlo Reynolds, 7, helps carry the Winnona Park Elementary School banner during the 2020 Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade.
Harrison Palazzola, 3, rides on his father Chris’s shoulders during the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade.
The Happy Hearts Bug Band Krewe float rolls in the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020.
Steve Willard dressed as the ‘Blue Meany’ with the Happy Hearts Bug Band Krewe walks in the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade, Saturday Feb. 8, 2020.
The Westchester Elementary Krewe walks in the 2020 Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade.
Mead Road Mardi Gras parade co-founder Dave Berg leads paraders down Oakview Road.
Billy Berg plays trombone with the Home Grown Brass Band during the Mead Road Mardi Gras.
“Queen Lola,” Lola Cobb, 8, gets ready for the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade.
Matt Smith plays his saxophone before the start of the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade.
Terry Hochschild, of Decatur, puts on some Mardi Gras beads at the Mead Road Mardi Gras in Oakhurst on March 2, 2019. The event is a non-profit community wide celebration that raises money to support music and arts education in the Decatur City School. Photo by Rebecca Breyer
Michael Boddie (right) dances with the Atlanta Freedom Band at the Mead Road Mardi Gras in Oakhurst on March 2, 2019. The event is a non-profit community wide celebration that raises money to support music and arts education in the Decatur City Schools. Photo by Rebecca Breyer
Val Suarez, of Oakhurst, and her son, Benny Suarez, 5, watch the parade together at the Mead Road Mardi Gras in Oakhurst on March 2, 2019. The event is a non-profit community wide celebration that raises money to support music and arts education in the Decatur City School. Photo by Rebecca Breyer
Alicia Cardillo, of Virginia Highlands, plays with the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable while her daughter, Kelsey Cardillo, 19 months, sleeps on her back at the Mead Road Mardi Gras in Oakhurst on March 2, 2019. The event is a non-profit community wide celebration that raises money to support music and arts education in City Schools of Decatur. Photo by Rebecca Breyer
Ella Talmadge, 15, a sophomore at Decatur High School, sings with the Little Mermaid crew at the Mead Road Mardi Gras in Oakhurst on March 2, 2019. The event is a non-profit community wide celebration that raises money to support music and arts education in the Decatur City School. Photo by Rebecca Breyer
(left to right) Laney Belle DeSimone, 8, Ashley DeSimone and Hailey O’Brien, 10, all represent Winnona Elementary School at the Mead Road Mardi Gras in Oakhurst on March 2, 2019. The event is a non-profit community wide celebration that raises money to support music and arts education in the Decatur City School. Photo by Rebecca Breyer
Michelle Cullen (right) marches down Oakview Road. Photo by Jonathan Phillips
Bo Emerson (center) plays the trumpet as he marches down Oakview Road during the 2015 Mead Rd Mardi Gras parade. File photo by Jonathan Phillips
Jake Cooper (center) plays the trumpet as he marches down Oakview Road. File Photo by Jonathan Phillips
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