The New Orleans Mardi Gras is all about fun, excitement, celebrations and colorful costumes. What is much less known is that the event has religious significance and allows people in the christian world to indulge before the start of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
The tradition of Mardi Gras comes from France where it has been celebrated for hundreds of years. The French explorer, Iberville, first landed near the site of the present-day New Orleans and gave the spot the name - Point du Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras fell out of favour in Louisiana at some point, but in 1823 it was re-introduced with parties and great merriment. Once the 20th Century commenced, the Mardi Gras was turning into the huge carnival as we know it today. The dancing in the street and revelry, accompanied by beautifully decorated horse drawn carriages and floats, is what everyone heads to the New Orleans Mardi Gras for.
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.
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 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!
The Mardi Gras season commences on the 6th of January each year. One of the traditions on this day involves a group called the Phunny Phorty Phellows, which contains about 50 men and women who ride in costumes in a decorated car along St Charles Avenue. The PPP blow loud trumpets, accompanied by a Dixieland band, and can often be seen eating the famous king cake and tossing it to people on the streets.
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 tradition of Mardi Gras comes from France where it has been celebrated for hundreds of years. The French explorer, Iberville, first landed near the site of the present-day New Orleans and gave the spot the name - Point du Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras fell out of favour in Louisiana at some point, but in 1823 it was re-introduced with parties and great merriment. Once the 20th Century commenced, the Mardi Gras was turning into the huge carnival as we know it today. The dancing in the street and revelry, accompanied by beautifully decorated horse drawn carriages and floats, is what everyone heads to the New Orleans Mardi Gras for.
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.
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 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!
The Mardi Gras season commences on the 6th of January each year. One of the traditions on this day involves a group called the Phunny Phorty Phellows, which contains about 50 men and women who ride in costumes in a decorated car along St Charles Avenue. The PPP blow loud trumpets, accompanied by a Dixieland band, and can often be seen eating the famous king cake and tossing it to people on the streets.
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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