It took only minutes for the intersection of California Boulevard and E. Foothill Boulevard to completely fill with revelers. As a reporter for the Mustang Daily, this was the place to be, right in the middle of the mayhem. Armed with a camera, I was ready to get the story.

After 1990’s violent riots and the cancelation of all Poly Royal events for the following years, the weekend of Mardi Gras became the new party for Cal Poly students and out-of-town visitors.

But in 2004, Mardi Gras also got out of control and riots resulted in over 200 arrests and $500,000 in damages, causing the cancelation of all Mardi Gras events.