ratCATcher Cruises: Halloween Mardi Gras

Last night St. John's held its annual Halloween Mardi Gras in George Street. The street of pubs.

The street was blocked off and we had to pay CA$10.00 entry fee. No exit from the street without having to pay entry again, so we were "stuck". :)

We arrived early at about 18H30 and everything was very very quiet. Andre, Mike (another Cougar pilot) and I had a beer at one of the pubs as we waited for things to happen. It wasn't long before people in costumes started passing and entering the pub we were in. Time had come to brave the cold in the street and see what was happening.

Most people were dressed in their Halloween costumes. The best costume competition of the nights prize was CA$5000.00 so the serious competitors had gone all out creating theirs. There were some incredible ones the work and time put into them was obvious.

As the night progressed it got colder, the main attraction other than the costumes was a band set up mid street, one just had to dance to keep warm which contributed to the festive atmosphere. All the pubs had "speed bars" set up outside with plastic cups as glasses were not allowed out of the pubs. We still went into the pub for a beer occasionally to warm up in the central heating.

The band started at 20H00 as the entrants had their costumes judged and photographed nearby.

The prize giving at 22H30 was a bit of a disappointment. We had seen some incredible costumes that didn't feature in the finals at all. We are not sure of the judging criteria but it obviously was not on looks!

The winner was a "Cod" costume made up of 4 people in the cod costume and a fisherman. I admit it was very good. We believe the creator has won the competition each year for the past 3!

Second was called "Lego mania" and was also people each dressed as a Lego person. I do not remember what 3rd to 5th positions were supposed to be; which probably speaks loudly for their costumes. :)

Our favourites that did not feature were: "Robot man" an incredible costume made of cut up garbage bins! A 8 foot tall monster couple. A very beautiful Phantom of the opera couple (I don't know if that's what they called themselves its my name for them) An 8 foot "British" Grim reaper.

I can't think of them all the photos will speak for themselves.

By the time we left, after midnight, it was freezing. How the people in those costumes like Fairies in short strapless open tutu's; Muscle men in small shorts only and a few others could stand the cold. When we left the que to get in was right around the block. Obviously the party was just starting.