One thing is for sure, you are going to find it very difficult to find more fun, more excitement, more celebrations and more colorful costumes than the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This event, also known as Fat Tuesday allows people to indulge before the start of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
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.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans these days is like no other festival around. Where else can you see French royals, showgirls dressed in feathers, painted clowns and bunnies parading the streets? In New Orleans during Mardi Gras season there is up to 350 floats and more than 15000 costumes being paraded each year, with some happening throughout the streets of New Orleans as early as 6 January. These gigantic floats, with performers performing outrageous tricks, marching bands aplenty and jazz music keeping everyone entertained.
A major attraction at Mardi Gras is the throwing of many thousands of colorful bead necklaces from the floats. These form a sort of souvenir for the crowd that everyone gets to take home with them. There is also plenty of cups and toy coins thrown as well. A tradition that originated many years ago at Mardi Gras was during a visit by the Russian duke Alexis Romanoff. These days their royal house colors of purple, green and gold, which stand for justice, faith and power, have now become the official colors of the Mardi Gras.
The Mardi Gras is just one big holiday in New Orleans and businesses and roads get shut down so that people can enjoy the excitement.
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.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans these days is like no other festival around. Where else can you see French royals, showgirls dressed in feathers, painted clowns and bunnies parading the streets? In New Orleans during Mardi Gras season there is up to 350 floats and more than 15000 costumes being paraded each year, with some happening throughout the streets of New Orleans as early as 6 January. These gigantic floats, with performers performing outrageous tricks, marching bands aplenty and jazz music keeping everyone entertained.
A major attraction at Mardi Gras is the throwing of many thousands of colorful bead necklaces from the floats. These form a sort of souvenir for the crowd that everyone gets to take home with them. There is also plenty of cups and toy coins thrown as well. A tradition that originated many years ago at Mardi Gras was during a visit by the Russian duke Alexis Romanoff. These days their royal house colors of purple, green and gold, which stand for justice, faith and power, have now become the official colors of the Mardi Gras.
The Mardi Gras is just one big holiday in New Orleans and businesses and roads get shut down so that people can enjoy the excitement.
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:
For an extensive array of information and advice for the New Orleans Mardi Gras, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities you should contact the events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel.
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