The Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, in New Orleans, allows people to indulge before the start of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. You can rest assured though, because you are in for one hell of a ride, with more fun, more excitement, more celebrations and more colorful costumes than you will have ever seen before.
The Mardi Gras originates from France where it has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. A French explorer known as Iberville landed sixty miles south of the current-day New Orleans, christening the spot Point du Mardi Gras. By around 1823 the American government was persuaded by the local Creoles to re-introduce the Mardi Gras with parties and great merriment. By the time the 19th Century came around, the Mardi Gras was turning into the huge carnival as we know it today, with much revelry and dancing in the streets accompanied by beautifully decorated horse drawn carriages and floats.
There are countless things to see at this amazing festival, including French royals, showgirls dressed in feathers, painted clowns and bunnies. There are 100's of parades in the streets of New Orleans that start as early as 6 January each year. Anyone can join or just kick back and watch these huge floats go by, with performers performing outrageous tricks, marching bands aplenty and jazz music all keeping you entertained. Can you believe that there is up to 350 floats and more than 15000 costumes being paraded each year?
Many famous traditions that are part of Mardi Gras today had their origins from years gone by and one such tradition occurred after a visit by the Russian duke Alexis Romanoff. The Romanoff's bought with them when they came to Mardi Gras their royal house colors of purple, green and gold, which stand for justice, faith and power. These three colours have now been adopted as the official colors of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Another tradition, which is seen as a big attraction at Mardi Gras, is the throwing of colorful bead necklaces, cups and toy coins from the floats, which people can take home as a souvenir. Many thousands of these are thrown to the crowd each year.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a public holiday and a lot businesses are closed and a number of streets get shut down.
There are over 500,000 king cakes that are sold every year in this city between 6 January and Fat Tuesday and there are over 50,000 of these cakes that are shipped out of New Orleans on an overnight courier. You might find yourself nibbling on a cake, which includes a small plastic baby doll inside. If you find it, you are declared a king and you will be the one to buy the next cake!
At the commence of Mardi Gras season in New Orleans a group of about fifty people called the Phunny Phorty Phellows, (or PPP for short) ride in their costumes in a decorated car along St Charles Avenue blowing loud trumpets. They are also accompanied by another New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition, the Dixieland band.
One can go on talking about the New Orleans Mardi Gras, but you have to be there to experience the magic. It is on the bucket list of things to do for millions of would-be travelers.
The Mardi Gras originates from France where it has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. A French explorer known as Iberville landed sixty miles south of the current-day New Orleans, christening the spot Point du Mardi Gras. By around 1823 the American government was persuaded by the local Creoles to re-introduce the Mardi Gras with parties and great merriment. By the time the 19th Century came around, the Mardi Gras was turning into the huge carnival as we know it today, with much revelry and dancing in the streets accompanied by beautifully decorated horse drawn carriages and floats.
There are countless things to see at this amazing festival, including French royals, showgirls dressed in feathers, painted clowns and bunnies. There are 100's of parades in the streets of New Orleans that start as early as 6 January each year. Anyone can join or just kick back and watch these huge floats go by, with performers performing outrageous tricks, marching bands aplenty and jazz music all keeping you entertained. Can you believe that there is up to 350 floats and more than 15000 costumes being paraded each year?
Many famous traditions that are part of Mardi Gras today had their origins from years gone by and one such tradition occurred after a visit by the Russian duke Alexis Romanoff. The Romanoff's bought with them when they came to Mardi Gras their royal house colors of purple, green and gold, which stand for justice, faith and power. These three colours have now been adopted as the official colors of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Another tradition, which is seen as a big attraction at Mardi Gras, is the throwing of colorful bead necklaces, cups and toy coins from the floats, which people can take home as a souvenir. Many thousands of these are thrown to the crowd each year.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a public holiday and a lot businesses are closed and a number of streets get shut down.
There are over 500,000 king cakes that are sold every year in this city between 6 January and Fat Tuesday and there are over 50,000 of these cakes that are shipped out of New Orleans on an overnight courier. You might find yourself nibbling on a cake, which includes a small plastic baby doll inside. If you find it, you are declared a king and you will be the one to buy the next cake!
At the commence of Mardi Gras season in New Orleans a group of about fifty people called the Phunny Phorty Phellows, (or PPP for short) ride in their costumes in a decorated car along St Charles Avenue blowing loud trumpets. They are also accompanied by another New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition, the Dixieland band.
One can go on talking about the New Orleans Mardi Gras, but you have to be there to experience the magic. It is on the bucket list of things to do for millions of would-be travelers.
About the Author:
The events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel, has developed a new site that provides an extensive array of information and advice for the New Orleans Mardi Gras, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities.
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