1. Mobile Is The Birthplace Of Mardi Gras. First things first: The beloved tradition was actually born in Mobile, Alabama, though many associate it with New Orleans. Mobile first celebrated Mardi Gras in 1703, with the party really heating up in 1831. Mardi Gras is still a huge event in Mobile, with dozens of balls and parades every year. Each krewe is vastly different. Celebrating the different krewes is one of the things that makes the Mardi Gras parades so much fun! Mardi Gras parades history. Since each parade krewe krewe puts on their own parade, there are too many parades to fit into one day. The biggest Mardi Gras parades occur in the five days leading up to Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is quite the spectacle - but there are a lot of hidden secrets and behind-the-scenes magic that bring the celebration to life. Ever wondered what the most coveted throws of Carnival are, or why an array of colorful ladders line St. Charles Avenue? Learn all about Mardi Gras in New Orleans with these 12 fun facts. That’s why, to really prep you for the holiday, we’re here with a host of need-to-know Mardi Gras facts. (The date for Mardi Gras 2025 is later this year, so there’s really no excuse for not getting up to speed!) Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” a pretty-spot on name for the last event of Carnival season before heading in to Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, who came to defend France's claim on Louisiana. The very first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans. They held a small celebration Mardi Gras is not just for humans; New Orleans hosts a "Krewe of Barkus" parade, where dogs don costumes and join the fun. The largest Mardi Gras float ever built was over 330 feet long and carried more than 200 riders. Mardi Gras in Popular Culture. Mardi Gras has made its mark in popular culture, appearing in movies, music, and literature. Floats, nudity and parades: Mardi Gras is a time of revelry and raucousness. From king cakes to sparkly beads, here are five fun facts about the origins of Mardi Gras fixings. The city still hosts nightly parades and many fun events around Fat Tuesday to celebrate over a week. Check out some of our favorite fun facts about this annual celebration. New Orleans. Mardi Gras is a time-honored tradition in New Orleans, and there’s no better place to celebrate than the French Quarter. Mardi Gras Doesn’t Always Fall on the Same Date. Mardi Gras always falls on the Tuesday 47 days before Easter. But since Easter’s date changes year to year so does the date for Mardi Gras. Easter is determined as the first Sunday after the full moon following the first day of spring (20th of March 20th). Here are future dates for Mardi Gras: Here are some fun facts about Mardi Gras you’ll want to remember. 1. Mardi Gras didn’t start in New Orleans. While Mardi Gras carnivals are widely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, the very first celebrations of this nature began over in Mobile, Alabama. The art of celebrating Mardi Gras this way dates all the way back to 1703! 2. Mardi Gras Fun Facts – 75 Mardi Gras Fun Facts . Here are 75 fun facts about Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Pancake Day. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold, which represent justice, faith, and power, respectively. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837. 5 Fun Facts About Mardi Gras History. You might have heard a bit about Mardi Gras history – mainly that it is a pretty big deal in New Orleans. It’s been called the biggest free party on the planet. Mardi Gras takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, but don’t be fooled, Mardi Gras festivities take place on more than just one day. This year, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21, and if you happen to be a newbie to the city or are hoping to discover all the interesting symbols and meanings associated with the celebration Mardi Gras is a mesmerizing blend of history, spirituality, and unfettered joy, affording a unique view into the diversity of human celebration, from its medieval European origins to modern-day international gatherings. Here are some fascinating facts regarding Mardi Gras’s history. 1. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French. With Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent, a 40 day period of fasting before Easter, Mardi Gras is the "last hurrah" of sorts, with participants indulging in their favorite fatty foods and drinks before giving them up. 10 Interesting Facts About Mardi Gras. 5. Mardi Gras Is A Legal Holiday. Really! Despite what most think, Louisiana made it a legal holiday in 1875, when Governor Bonus Fun Fact: Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana, and has been since 1875, when Governor Warmoth signed the Mardi Gras Act. 2. Your Dog Will Love Mardi Gras. Dogs just want to have fun! And that’s what they get at their very own parades in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Northshore and more! These animal-dedicated parades show off the The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Northshore doggies get their own parades. The first floats in the parades in New Orleans Mardi Gras appeared in 1857. Purple, gold, and green are the official Mardi Gras colors. The clubs that hold parades or balls at Mardi Gras are called Krewes. This year, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 13, and if you happen to be a newbie to the city or are hoping to discover all the interesting symbols and meanings associated with the celebration Here are some interesting facts about Mardi Gras that will give you a better understanding of what is actually going on in New Orleans during the celebration. Holidays - Other By: Jay Adrianna - at January 28, 2015
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