The Franklin Street Events Association, a new local organization, is looking to bring Franklin Street back to life. In the process of doing so, they have scheduled a Mardi Gras Bar Crawl.

Mardi Gras is the only street festival that trumps the Evansville West Side Nut Club’s Fall Festival in attendance, beating it by a landslide. And you know how the old saying goes: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

The “bar crawl” is taking a multifunctional approach as both a bar-related event and as a family event. I can understand the concern from both parties because it is an interesting blend, but, ultimately, I think it’s for the better.

As this year is the first year for the event, planners will find out what works and what doesn’t so they can plan for more events in the future.

Cultural events that are still in their infancy are exciting – there’s so much freshness, so much possibility there. If we can get enough people to tap into that potential, we could end up with something remarkable, original and unforgettable.

I like where this tradition is going. I think it’s a direction that we need to pursue more often to avoid falling into a routinized slump.

If you’re one of those people that thinks this event sounds “lame” or “stupid,” then I don’t want to hear you complaining about how there is “never anything to do in Evansville.” Because this is it.

We need to encourage this event, because it is what we need more of. We need to encourage the growth.

People are finally taking the proper initiative into spicing up the night life, and I think we should respect their attempts. We will only build from the mistakes.

Though I don’t know exactly what to expect, there is definitely promise of food, live music, games and prizes. At worst, it’s a start in the right direction.