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Every year Louisiana host a month long celebration known as Mardi Gras or carnival, this Carnival is the celebration before the catholic lent begins. Every year revilers gather over the entire state to party and have a good time. Although the nucleus of the party is in New Orleans or Nawlins if you from here but the good times roll on all night long in the Big Easy. Well after two years of hosting the show Gonzales has now become the show scene nucleus of Mardi Gras. This was the second year that this show has been hosted by Gator and his outstanding crew in the wonderful Lamar Dixon Expo center. This place is a shows dream indoor facilities and also lots of covered parking outside for that just in case situation Mother Nature doesn't want to play fair, along with concrete parking for the entire complex. We arrived at the show as always behind schedule. The original plan was to leave Jackson, MS Friday night around 6 when everyone got off work and get some sleep due to the fact we had been putting in 16+ hour days at my shop Off the Chain Customs trying to finish two trucks to debut at this show since I had a booth for the last 2 weeks. Well as the time drew near and with Phatty, my sidekick and partner in crime, knocking me upside my head with a prybar we decided we would leave one at home and just bring the new 03 Ram on 23's we have been building. With none of the last minute additions going well we FINALLY arrived in Gonzales at 10 am SATURDAY. I still don't know were those 14 hours went. But we made it and everyone was feeling the pain. As we arrived at the show I was greeted by Gator the shows Promoter. After taking one look at me his first words were what you been up for over 50 hours haven't you. Sad when Gator knows me that well. As we unloaded Chad Nissan and Rob's Blazer, from Assorted Mini's, we made our way inside and on to the wash rack to clean the 4 hours of drive grime off the Ram and get it ready for the booth. As we made our way inside I noticed something totally different this year. The inside was completely full of vendors from both car audio and custom scene. It was awesome to see the level that AudioBahn had participated in the show and their going the extra mile to show there support. We quickly made the booth ours and set up the three trucks that were going to be in it. I had also invited my boy Doc "Lil' Jessie" to share the booth with us showing off his latest creations of mini choppers, to include a new Springer that he just finished the night before. With the booth finished and set up it was off to the hotel for a quick shower and just a time to relax.
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As we made our way back I decided to break out the camera and cover the first day and get that out the way and leave Sunday for features. As I made it just part way I quickly realized my golf cart had been impounded because someone decided that racing it was a new option instead of just following me like I asked. But walking does the heart good anyway. The level of quality this show brought to the table was incredible. I was amazed that people from all over had come to Gonzales of all places to attend. Mopar had there rolling " Mopar Performance" big-rig on hand showing the latest in performance for the entire line. They also had the new Ram RT10 on hand along with the Guinness record holder RT-10, with signed valve cover by the Guinness officials. Dodge in conjunction with Mardi Gras Nats hosted a Neon R/T regional gathering with over 50 owners on hand for this meet. What an awesome idea to combine the two key events. Mopar was not the only one with great ideas, USACi also held a triple points event along with DB Drags to make things interesting. Audio competition adds a different level of excitement to any show. The level of audio sponsors was amazing; Kicker, Audiobahn and many more had their rolling displays on hand to show their latest products. As Sat wore on it was time for the after party. Gator and the crew host a vendors party to say "Thank You" to everyone involved in making this show a great success. So with over 2 tons of crawfish, 800 pounds of Catfish and God only knows what other Cajun Food he had the party was on. As they say in Louisiana La Bon Ton Roulette which simply means "Let the good times roll" As the feeding of the masses cam to an end it was time for the bikini contest. 7 Lovely ladies graced the stage battling for $500 in cash. As the bikini contest ended a Louisiana legend, the Chee Weez took the stage to rock the house. These guys are awesome they are intense and there stage presence is incredible. As the show activities wore down the Holiday -Inn activities were just beginning. As we made our way back we unloaded the mini choppers and the lil 50 4-wheeler and decided what better time to ride but at midnight, I'm SURE the other non-show guest wouldn't mind. RIGHT. The highlight of the night was Phatty disappearing on the 4 wheeler and then reappearing riding the upper levels hallway screaming "IM RICK JAMES" as we all fell over laughing. It wasn't long until the 60 something hours of sleep depravation had finally caught up with me and it was time to hit the bed.
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