Everyone is in luck this year because Mardi Gras is coming to Franklin Street – or at least a poor imitation of it is.

When I think of Mardi Gras, my mind instantly goes to drunk and topless people roaming Bourbon Street looking for their next beer or set of beads.

Franklin Street isn’t going to come close to living up to the Mardi Gras name. By naming it after something so iconic, people will go in expecting one thing and end up getting something completely different.

Mardi Gras is free, so why are people paying 10 dollars for a wristband and a shirt just to go to a business for some beads? Yet, you still have to buy a product, write a recommendation on their website or check into the business to receive those beads.

This doesn’t seem very well thought out to me. If you’re there, then why do you need to check in via social media in order to get the beads? You’re already there supporting the business.

First, don’t think about showing your boobs, because they’re actually giving you what is sure to be an ugly shirt to stop someone from popping the top.

Second, you have to be sober enough to write a nice little message or be able to correctly use your phone to check in.

Third, there is no parade. How can an event be called Mardi Gras and not have a parade? That’s like being sober and seeing no boobs – pointless.

Yes, a lot of towns have their own versions of Mardi Gras, and they are probably just as bad as this one is going to be. I completely agree with supporting local businesses, especially the ones on the West side (most of which I frequently go to). But getting them together to pass out beads and calling it Mardi Gras is stupid.

Just because you hand out beads and have beer doesn’t make it Mardi Gras. There are just too many holes in the plan for me to get behind an Evansville Mardi Gras – better luck next year.