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Although The Big Easy in Louisiana is perhaps best-known for its Mardi Gras revelry, the port city of Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1702 by French settlers, lays claim to being the city that first On the night of February 24, 1857, under gaslit torches in New Orleans's warehouse district, a Mardi Gras tradition was born. At the intersection of Julia and Magazine Streets, the Mistick Krewe Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America's very first Mardi Gras. In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile), similar to those that form our current Mardi Gras krewes. It lasted until 1709. Historians at the Louisiana State Museum say Mardi Gras first arrived on U.S. soil in 1699, when French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville celebrated and his men landed 60 miles south The first record of Mardi Gras being celebrated in Louisiana was at the mouth of the Mississippi River in what is now lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on March 2, 1699. Iberville, Bienville, and their men celebrated it as part of an observance of Catholic practice. The date of the first celebration of the festivities in New Orleans is unknown. The 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, Louisiana. They held a 4: When was the first Mardi Gras? The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans on Feb. 24, 1857 by the Krewe of Comus. They began the tradition of presenting a parade with floats and following it with a ball for the krewe and their guests. Mardi Gras Dates. 5: What is the significance of the Mardi Gras colors, and where did they come from? The first use of the words "Mardi Gras" in Louisiana was in 1699, when Pierre le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville, named a bend in the river "Pointe du Mardi Gras," in honor of that year's Fat Tuesday. However, Carnival was rarely celebrated in the new colony—the early people of the Big Easy found life in the mud-caked huts and thatched roofs of New The 2025 Carnival Season -- marked by a weekslong pre-Lenten bash and complete with colorful parades, shimmery beads tossed from floats and streets lined with costumed revelers -- is reaching its conclusion on the Gulf Coast. Mardi Gras Past and Present Traditions from the past that live on today. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans since the explorer Iberville first set foot here on Mardi Gras Day 1699. In French colonial days, wealthy members of Creole society threw lavish Mardi Gras balls from Twelfth Night (Jan. 6) to Fat Tuesday Eve. Bayou Mardi Gras Parade is the first Mardi Gras Parade in Acadiana. Kicks off at 2 pm; led by Le Capitaine and singing La Chanson de Mardi Gras will make their way through the historic village Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. Tuesday, March 4 – Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade & Mardi Gras Celebration – The Parade runs down E. Landry, turns left on Liberty, and travels back up to Vine Street in Opelousas. 11 a La Riviére Children’s Mardi Gras Parade & Chicken Chase. Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Krotz Springs. Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival & Parade. Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. Lebeau. Sunset Kidz Wagon Parade. Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. Sunset. Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras. March 1 at 3 p.m. Eunice. Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade. March 4 at 11 a.m. Opelousas. Courir de Mardi 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. Houma, it’s your time to shine—Mardi Gras season is here! Let’s celebrate Bayou Country style! Historians at the Louisiana State Museum say Mardi Gras first arrived on U.S. soil in 1699, when French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville celebrated and his men landed 60 miles south TPSO offers safety tips and regulation reminders as first Mardi Gras Parade approaches With the 2025 Houma-Terrebonne Mardi Gras season upon us, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet thought that this would be a great time to familiarize yourself with the rules and tips that can keep the parade atmosphere safe and enjoyable for everyone. The first Mardi Gras parade in the Shreveport-Bossier area will be held on Feb. 17. Krewe of Centaur is Louisiana's largest Mardi Gras krewe and brings excitement down the streets of Shreveport. SCHEDULE OF PARADES KREWE OF HARAMBEE. Monday, Feb. 17; Downtown Shreveport; 1 p.m. The lineup will start at the corner of Milam and Common streets. The parade will then head west to Hope Street, then east on Milam, make a left on Edwards, turn onto Texas and go through downtown Shreveport. Over time, the festivities evolved into Mardi Gras as we know it today. The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans by the Krewe of Comus in 1857, and in 1870, Mardi Gras’ second Krewe, the Twelfth Night Revelers, began tossing “throws” (more on these iconic parts of Mardi Gras later).
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