KEEP GOING, OAK CLIFF

Neighborhood festivals live on even as their queen departs

By RACHEL STONE

Photos by DANNY FULGENCIO

Amy Cowan wanted a Mardi Gras parade in Oak Cliff, so she threw one in 2009.

That first one, which traveled down Bishop Avenue, had some festive floats and drew a bigger crowd than expected. Now Mardi Gras Oak Cliff is one of the biggest annual events in our neighborhood.

Cowan, who co-founded Go Oak Cliff to put on festivals including Mardi Gras, Bastille on Bishop and Blues, Bandits & BBQ, moved her family to New Orleans a few months ago, after 10 years in Oak Cliff. She’s not alone. Everyone else involved in the organization’s early days has moved on to other ventures or has moved away, too.

“It was time to go,” Cowan says. “New Orleans already has all the same things that we were trying to create here. To be somewhere where all that exists, and I don’t have to do any work, is kind of amazing.”

There’s no new Amy Cowan, but Oak Cliff neighbors have stepped in to take

Christmas Day (Monday, December 25th)

• Monday garbage and recycling collections will take place on Tuesday the 26th.

• Tuesday garbage and recycling collections will take place on Wednesday the 27th.

• CLOSED: McCommas Bluff Landfill, City transfer stations, Administration office

New Year's Day (Monday, January 1st)

• Monday garbage and recycling collections will take place on Tuesday the 2nd.

• Tuesday garbage and recycling collections will take place on Wednesday the 3rd.

• CLOSED: McCommas Bluff Landfill, City transfer stations, Administration office