By DEVIN HEILMAN

Staff Writer

Sunlight glittered off the gold, green and purple sequins Kathy Beechler wore as she demonstrated what the "second line" does during a Mardi Gras parade.

She hummed a jazzy tune and bobbed her Mardi Gras umbrella in the air as she danced for a moment before letting out a laugh.

"This is my favorite part," she said Monday. "All of a sudden the music picks up with the

second line, the umbrella starts coming out dancing, people wave their handkerchiefs they used for crying and just start to go single file. It's become a tradition."

Beechler, who was born and raised in New Orleans, explained Mardi Gras is more than just a party — it's a celebration that blends several cultures and has a deliciously rich history.

"A lot of people have a misconception of Mardi Gras. They don’t understand the beautiful traditions, the beautiful family traditions and the coming together of the different cultures," she said. "They think of it as a big drunken party to indulge themselves, but there is purpose, and it’s very important to New Orleanians. Everybody participates, just about."

Beechler grew up knowing and loving Mardi Gras like many children love Christmas. Her dad was a member of the Knights of Babylon "krewe" (a group of Mardi Gras revelers who host balls and parades) and she attended krewe events and delighted in the many activities taking place in the weeks before Lent.

“We looked forward to it. My family always dressed, we’d go out dressed alike as clowns or whatever,” Beechler said. “I had the same traditions with my children. We always went out... It’s not just a big party. It’s a very big family tradition. We would go uptown on St. Charles Avenue, you would bring your food and have a picnic.”

Beechler even attained royalty status when she was crowned "Queen Guinevere" at a Mardi Gras ball when she was 18, a time she fondly remembers.

“I was asked and I was 18, so my parents said, ‘Yeah, she can be in it.’ It’s an honor to be in a court,” Beechler said. “The king spent $10,000 just to have a cocktail party for his royal court. A lot of money is involved. But it’s traditional that people are willing to do that, they’ve been doing it forever."

Beechler's collection of Mardi Gras items, including krewe party favors, gifts and original regalia her father wore in parades, will be in a display case in The Plaza Shops during the Mardi Gras Krewe d'Alene celebration, starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The Shops will transform into North Idaho's version of the French Quarter and Jackson Square for the community to get a taste of Mardi Gras in the Big Easy. The event will feature live music, artists in action, New-Orleans-style fare and street entertainers such as jugglers, hula-hoopers, fortune tellers and more.

“Kathy is just adamant that everything we do is authentic,” said Ali Shute, executive director of the Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance.

"I want it to be authentic so people get the feel of it," Beechler said. "If they can’t go to Mardi Gras, they can come get the feel of it for sure here.”

Krewe d'Alene is partnering with the Human Rights Education Institute to provide the History and Diversity of Mardi Gras display, which will serve as an educational piece about the diverse traditions and cultures of Mardi Gras. The event will benefit the Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce or online at www.artsandculturecda.org. Guests will also participate in "king's cake" activities, the royalty crowning ceremony and other fun Mardi Gras traditions.

"Like we say in New Orleans, 'Laissez les bon temps rouler,'” Beechler said. "It’s French for, ‘Let the good times roll.’”