Mardi Gras in May: A Win for La Jolla High School and Village Businesses

by Councilman Scott Peters
May 2003

Last week's La Jolla Light contained an article about the loss many are feeling because the Easter Hat Parade will not be held this year. The longtime organizer, Anna Glowak, has put in many outstanding years of service to La Jolla, but is unable to organize the event this year. Many La Jolla residents have expressed their "loss of community" and it has caused them to reflect on the importance of getting together with neighbors for a fun.

Next month on the evening of Saturday, May 16, the La Jolla High School Foundation will be hosting Mardi Gras in May to benefit La Jolla High School. As the San Diego Unified School District faces severe budget cuts every school, including La Jolla High, will feel the crunch. Candy Satterlee and Rob Hagey, the La Jolla High School Foundation Co-Chairs of the event, feel that Mardi Gras in May has the potential of making over $50,000, which will be very needed as State budget cuts hit our community.

Mardi Gras in May will be a celebration combining national music talent with displays of goods and services of the numerous businesses located in the La Jolla area. The event will take place at the intersection of Herschel and Wall Streets and will continue down Wall Street for about half a block in both directions. Many people remember Off the Wall, an annual event that was held in the same location and benefited UCSD Medical School. That event has not been held for several years for many of the same reasons the Easter Bonnet Parade will not be held. The coordination and community outreach necessary for an event of this magnitude takes an enormous amount of effort and time for all of the volunteers involved. The La Jolla High School Foundation is full of volunteers with boundless energy who are up to the task. They are parents, alumni, and others who want the very best for the students of La Jolla. The Foundation decided to revive the Off the Wall party that was held for over 17 years at the same intersection in La Jolla, and call it Mardi Gras in May. The Foundation has updated and improved the event with La Jolla High School benefiting from the proceeds and has worked hard to involve the surrounding businesses. Co-chair Rob Hagey will call upon his 20 years of experience producing Street Scene in the Gaslamp Quarter to accomplish an organized and polished event. All profits from the event will be used to benefit La Jolla High School. The funds may be used to augment academic programs such as science instruction or to bolster the athletic program at the high school.

Mardi Gras in May can help energize the Village and allow parents and other people to enjoy a night on the town that will benefit the educational experience of the children in La Jolla. It will give the businesses on those blocks an opportunity to showcase their products and services to the very audience that is key to their continued success. There are large businesses on those blocks such as Karl Strauss, Saks Fifth Avenue, Willis Allen, and Tommy Bahamas that will be open and integrated into the festival. In addition there are several smaller businesses that can also benefit from Mardi Gras in May. Businesses like La Jolla Lock and Key, Empress Nails, and Klatt Realty will have the ability to attract new clients by advertising their services to residents who might not have been aware the businesses before the event.

La Jollans are proud of their Village for good reason. The depth and variety of the businesses and services are world renowned. It makes sense for the residents to support the businesses and the businesses to support the residents. Mardi Gras in May is the type of event that can benefit the entire community.

Let's get together, pull out our wallets, put on our dancing shoes, and celebrate. I know I will be at Mardi Gras in May supporting La Jolla High School and the Village businesses. I hope to see all of my neighbors there.

For more information on Mardi Gras in May, please contact (858) 456-9125