Mardi Gras, as a celebration of life before the more-somber occasion of Ash Wednesday, nearly always involves the use of masks and costumes by its participants, and the most popular celebratory colors are purple, green, and gold. Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Why does New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras? Although it is a Christian holiday now, Mardi Gras is a holiday that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites, according to the This period is filled with citywide revelry and elaborate parades, both day and night, building up to Mardi Gras and the Rex parade. Beads of gold, green, and purple (representing power, faith, and justice , respectively) are commonly distributed, and the eating of king cake is an iconic part of the celebration. During the early Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations, revelers wore masks and elaborate costumes to remain anonymous while mingling with different social classes and participating in activities The first ball was held in 1857 by the Mistick Krewe of Comus. Comus hosted the first parade, followed by Rex in 1872, which debuted the king of Mardi Gras. The Rex parade gave Mardi Gras the official colors of purple to represent justice, green to represent faith, and gold to represent power. The three colors were to represent the “king.” The first bona fide New Orleans Mardi Gras occurred in 1833 when a rich plantation owner named Bernard Xavier de Marigny de Mandeville took the initiative to raise money to fund an official, city-wide Mardi Gras celebration. The celebration of Mardi Gras has evolved over the centuries, but at its core, it remains a celebration of life, community, and indulgence. Originally rooted in religious traditions, Mardi Gras serves as a final opportunity to enjoy rich foods, drink, and revelry before the fasting and solemnity of Lent. View and download the 2025 Mobile Mardi Gras parade schedule, complete with dates, times and routes for all Mobile & Baldwin County parades. Your Invitation to Celebrate. Now’s the time to gather your family, friends, and Mardi Gras spirit. Plan your visit to Houma, and experience the joy, tradition, and culture of our unforgettable Mardi Gras celebration. Stay tuned to ExploreHouma.com for parade updates, route details, and everything you need to make the most of Mardi Gras 2025. The Mardi Gras traditions show off New Orleans’ rich culture. Get ready to be wowed by the creativity and passion that make this celebration so special! The Rich History Behind Mardi Gras Celebrations. The history of Mardi Gras is a captivating story that spans centuries and continents. It started as a simple feast before Lent in medieval Europe. Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana is a family-friendly festival and even has an entire day devoted to kids. Children’s Day, a free event, combines Mardi Gras fun with culture, music and learning. Mardi Gras Children’s Parade - The 2025 Mardi Gras Children’s Parade at 3:30 p.m. is a family-friendly highlight of the Mardi Gras season! As Mardi Gras and Carnival refer to eating more decadent, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent. In France, this festive season comes with sumptuous public celebrations or parades (‘les carnavals‘) in many French towns and schools. 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. San Francisco's Mardi Gras parade is a highlight you won't want to miss. It winds through the streets of North Beach, featuring elaborate floats and energetic dancers. In Los Angeles, the Venice Beach Mardi Gras parade offers a quirky, beachside twist on the traditional celebration. The tradition of Mardi Gras was introduced to New Orleans by French settlers who arrived in the city in the late 17th century. The first recorded Mardi Gras celebration in the city took place in 1699, when French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville arrived at a spot along the Mississippi River that would become New Orleans and held a small celebration to mark the occasion.
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