|
Musician Paty Hurtado plays acoustic guitar in the dark to seniors at the Calexico senior Mardi Gras, which continued despite power outages in the city Friday. (CHELCEY ADAMI PHOTO / February 9, 2013) |
CALEXICO — More than 200 senior citizens enjoyed their Mardi Gras night despite a large power outage that left them mostly in the dark for part of Friday evening.
Power went out around 5:45 p.m. shortly before doors opened at 6 p.m., but seniors still enjoyed the event that had sold out weeks beforehand. The power was restored shortly after 7 p.m.
“They’re OK and still asking for it to go on,” coordinator Maria Alvarez said early in the evening. “We’re going to continue regardless; there’s still light out there.”
Emergency lights cast a soft glow in the Calexico Community Center front hallway, and event organizers gathered flashlights and candles.
“Everyone is saying it’s real romantic,” Esperanza Servin said. “They’re saying, ‘Gee, I wish it was Feb. 14.’”
Musician Paty Hurtado went around the room playing acoustic guitar and singing with happy, costumed attendees.
“I hope the lights come back on so we can dance,” Hilda Bowen said. “I haven’t seen anything but decorations looked very nice in the daytime.”
Many attendees wore beautiful, detailed dresses or masks. Bowen herself had a small bright mask on her hair and carried an ornate feathered and sequined mask.
“It’ll be exciting if we can dance in the dark,” she said while smiling.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
Power went out around 5:45 p.m. shortly before doors opened at 6 p.m., but seniors still enjoyed the event that had sold out weeks beforehand. The power was restored shortly after 7 p.m.
“They’re OK and still asking for it to go on,” coordinator Maria Alvarez said early in the evening. “We’re going to continue regardless; there’s still light out there.”
Emergency lights cast a soft glow in the Calexico Community Center front hallway, and event organizers gathered flashlights and candles.
“Everyone is saying it’s real romantic,” Esperanza Servin said. “They’re saying, ‘Gee, I wish it was Feb. 14.’”
Musician Paty Hurtado went around the room playing acoustic guitar and singing with happy, costumed attendees.
“I hope the lights come back on so we can dance,” Hilda Bowen said. “I haven’t seen anything but decorations looked very nice in the daytime.”
Many attendees wore beautiful, detailed dresses or masks. Bowen herself had a small bright mask on her hair and carried an ornate feathered and sequined mask.
“It’ll be exciting if we can dance in the dark,” she said while smiling.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
