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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 Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] From its European origins to the elaborate krewes [] <p>Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. 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. The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. In the United States the principal Carnival celebration is in New Orleans, Louisiana.The Carnival season there opens on Twelfth Night (also called Epiphany, which is observed on January 6) and climaxes with the Mardi Gras festivities commencing 10 days before Shrove Tuesday. LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - From bulls parading down streets to the first Krewe of Krewes parade, Southwest Louisiana has a storied history when it comes to Mardi Gras. The earliest recorded Mardi Gras celebration in Southwest Louisiana was in 1882. However, the festivities died down soon after as The Origins of Mardi Gras. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to ancient Roman festivals, particularly the pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. These festivals, held in midwinter, were marked by feasting, drinking, and a general sense of chaos and social reversal, during which societal rules were temporarily relaxed. As But Mardi Gras history actually extends all the way back to the days before Christianity in Ancient Rome, and has roots in pagan spring festivals. As with most other holidays with a deep heritage, the traditions and customs of Mardi Gras evolved as it moved through countries, continents, and centuries and became the raucous, joy-filled “The first place names given Louisiana were, appropriately, Pointe de Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras Bayou,” notes Mel Leavitt in his book A Short History of New Orleans. Iberville’s expedition went on to establish settlements at Biloxi Bay (Mississippi) and Fort Louis de la Louisiane (Alabama), located on the Mobile River a few miles upstream To learn more, visit the permanent exhibition, Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana, at the Presbytère on Jackson Square. Mardi Gras: Mystery and History. Built upon a European foundation, Mardi Gras is a multicultural festival that also reflects Louisiana's African and Caribbean connections. Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras." The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons. From here, the traditional revelry of "Boeuf Gras," or fatted calf, followed France to her colonies. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in southern Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans.Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Western Christian tradition). Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, New Orleans. Photo Credit: The Design Tourist Celebrating ‘The Greatest Free Show on Earth’ Today, Mardi Gras is known as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” with approximately 70 parades set to roll through the greater New Orleans area, plus countless other parades in towns and communities across Louisiana embodying local culture and customs. The 63rd Annual Saddle Tramp Riders Club/Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Our full day event is one fluid route, but is comprised of a traditional Courir de Mardi Gras (Country Route) (8am-1:00pm),and a Parade down Main Street in the Town of Church Point (1pm-3:30pm). The Courir will stop at several Farmhouses along the route to collect ingredients for “The actual reason behind Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras is a very left-handed Catholic holiday. The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Ash Wednesday begins Lent, you take penitence, give up drinking, smoking, whatever you do as a penance. So Mardi Gras was kind of designed to be a last party.” For the folks in Grand Marais, Mardi Gras isn’t just one day. How did Mardi Gras get it's start? Mardi Gras has been called the biggest party on the planet and seeing how it originated in Europe and is still celebrated there as well as in North and South America, it just might be the biggest party ever! While Mardi Gras is known for a certain level of debauchery, it finds its roots in Christianity. 1. The origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a festive season that occurs before the start of Lent. The name Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, referring to the practice of binge eating and indulging in rich foods before the start of the Lenten season of fasting. As the modern American Mardi Gras officially kicks off on January 6th, marking the Twelfth Night and the Epiphany, King Cakes extend their allure beyond Louisiana. This sweet treat is available for the duration of Carnival season which spans from January 6th until concluding on Mardi Gras day, which falls on February 13th this year.
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