Need Good Beads

*All photos made March 1, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. ©Sean Rayford*

As three pajama college-aged co-eds stumbled across their Rosewood neighborhood front lawn on Saturday morning — purple, green and gold plastic beads bounced off the grass near their feet. On their faces, big smiles and looks of disbelief. Laughter.

Now in it’s 15th installment, the annual Mardi Gras Columbia Parade snaked through the residential and commercial areas of the Columbia neighborhood before returning to City Roots Farm, kicking off the day-long festival.