What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Mardi Gras? Ask anyone, and they may tell you a myriad of things: beads, floats, music, and New Orleans! Mardi Gras is a very popular holiday for a good reason, it’s the “The Greatest Free Show on Earth.” Mardi Gras was first held in New Orleans on Feb. 24, 1857 and has been a constant celebration since then. Mardi Gras is the name given to what is also known as Fat Tuesday. The colors of the parade were first chosen in 1892 by Rex, The King of Carnival: Green for faith, Purple for Justice, and Gold for power. The tradition of float riders tossing “throws” to parade goers has been going on since the 1870s (beads being the most well-known trinket). Flambeaux, which are large torches, are carried by people in the parade, once out of necessity to see the parade in the night, but now just as a part of the fun. Many viewers of the parades wear masks, and the people on floats are required to wear masks by law! Another tradition is beautiful balls thrown by many of the “krewes” that work hard each year to pull off the Mardi Gras festivities. One iconic food dish from Mardi Gras is King cake, which has objects baked into it, most commonly a baby figurine. The baby symbolizes luck and means the person who receives it must bring a king cake next time. This year's Mardi Gras celebration occurs on March 5, 2019!*
To learn more about Mardi Gras, visit:
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras
https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/traditions/
*Join us for King Cake on Tuesday, March 5th, from 11 – 4 PM (or until it is all gone!) in the Jennie A. Carter Multicultural Center- G25 Carter Hall