The term is best known for its association with Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations throughout Louisiana (e.g. in Lafayette, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge) and along the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, Springtime Tallahassee, and Krewe of Amalee in In 1870, Mardi Gras' second Krewe, the Twelfth Night Revelers, was formed. This is also the first recorded account of Mardi Gras "throws." Newspapers began to announce Mardi Gras events in advance, and they even printed "Carnival Edition" lithographs of parades' fantastic float designs (after they rolled, of course - themes and floats were Mardi Gras may have some flashy, star-studded, colossal parades, but the old line krewes maintain their original parade traditions to this day. The “super-krewes” of Carnival begin their parades on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, when the Krewe of Endymion takes to the streets of New Orleans. Endymion is followed by Bacchus on Sunday, Orpheus [] Rex, one of the oldest Mardi Gras krewes, has been participating in parades since 1872 and established purple, gold and green as the iconic Mardi Gras colors. Louisiana is the only state in which 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 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. Here’s an introduction to the history behind some of those popular traditions. Krewes. This term for the New Orleans clubs that organize the Mardi Gras festivities was coined by The Mystick Their formation marked one of the biggest changes in Mardi Gras history: krewes designed for the general public. With celebrity kings and an open policy towards ball invitations, Bacchus led the way as the pinnacle of inclusivity. The elitism of the old Mardi Gras social order was largely a thing of the past, at least as a general, citywide Named for the Olympian god of fertility and eternal youth, the largest krewe in Mardi Gras history was founded in 1967 as a small neighborhood venture in the Bayou St. John-Gentilly area. By Read More One of the many Mardi Gras throws which krewes fling into the crowds, doubloons are large coins, either wood or metal, made in Mardi Gras colors. Artist H. Alvin Sharpe created the modern doubloon for The School of Design (the actual name of the Rex organization). Mardi Gras was extremely segregated for a long time until December 19, 1991 when Councilwoman Dorothy Mae Taylor, the first Black female councilwoman in New Orleans, presented a city ordinance that would force all krewes to desegregate as a requirement to participate in Mardi Gras festivities. In 1870, Mardi Gras' second Krewe, the Twelfth Night Revelers, was formed. This is also the first recorded account of Mardi Gras "throws.". Newspapers began to announce Mardi Gras events in advance, and they even printed "Carnival Edition" lithographs of parades' fantastic float designs (after they rolled, of course - themes and floats were always carefully guarded before the procession). The Krewe of Kings The Krewe of Kings (aka the Kings of Metry) is a Jefferson Parish Carnival Club, established in 2019. After a short hiatus due to Covid and the tragic passing of Co-Founder Mckinley “Mackie” J. Cantrell III, the krewe is returning to the Metairie parade route on Lundi Gras in 2025. The Krewe of Iris is the oldest all-female krewe and, with 3,660 members, is the largest krewe in Mardi Gras history. Their zoo—influenced theme for 2025 is "Iris, They All Asked for You.” Their zoo—influenced theme for 2025 is "Iris, They All Asked for You.” 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 Les Mystérieuses held its second and final ball in 1900, but in the years since a number of all-women krewes have continued to revamp Carnival. In 1941 the Krewe of Venus made history as the first women’s krewe to hold a parade, but it was met with disdain by many bystanders, who threw rotten vegetables at the floats. History of Mardi Gras throws. During the Mardi Gras parade, you’ll see krewes throwing items off of their parade floats. Fittingly, these items are called “throws”. The first Mardi Gras throws were from the krewe called the Twelfth Night Revelers in the early 1870s. A man dressed in a Santa Claus suit threw souvenirs to the crowd. The traditions of gay Mardi Gras officially began with the Krewe of Yuga’s first Mardi Gras drag ball, in February 1958. In 1962, the event was held at a rented school cafeteria in conservative Jefferson Parish — and raided by the police. New Orleans Carnival Krewes: The History, Spirit & Secrets of Mardi Gras Paperback – February 11, 2014 by Rosary O'Neill (Author), Kim Marie Vaz (Foreword) 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 66 ratings Learn the history & origin of Mardi Gras from Arthur Hardy, the world's foremost authority on Mardi Gras. Insider Tours offers vacation packages featuring all the BEST that Mardi Gras 2025 has to offer! Parade tickets, Bourbon St. Balcony Party, ghost tour, swamp tour, plantation tour, beads, gu
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |