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. The seven symbols for Mardi Gras are king cakes, Mardi Gras masks, parades, Mardi Gras throws, the fleur de lis, Mardi Gras beads, and the official colors of Mardi Gras. Head to our Mardi Gras symbols guide for an in depth look at the history and meanings behind the symbols of 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 Top 10 things to know about Mardi Gras. Parades, elaborate costumes, and the king of all cakes are all hallmarks of the iconic festival. By Sarah Gibbens and Amy McKeever. February 27, 2025. Nearly every year (the Covid-19 pandemic years notwithstanding) the city of New Orleans descends in to a chaotic flurry of crowds, colorful masks, and beads galore all in celebration of Mardi Gras. 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. 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 is right around the corner and everyone is flocking to New Orleans to join in the fun that is Carnival season madness. You may be pretty familiar with some Mardi Gras traditions like celebrating in the French Quarter, watching parades, bar hopping on Bourbon Street, and catching tons of beads; But, here we have 10 very interesting facts you may have not known about Mardi Gras. Discover facts about Mardi Gras for kids! Learn about the vibrant parades, colorful masks, and festive traditions that make this celebration unique and exciting for children to explore. Enjoy an Ad-Free Experience While Reading 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. Mardi Gras stands alone as one of the few nationally celebrated cultural events that is only an official holiday in one state. Halloween and Valentine’s Day are still commercial holidays, and even Massachusetts, the epicenter of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, hasn’t made its hallmark festivity a state holiday (though, technically, March 17th in Suffolk County is officially Evacuation Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. Mardi Gras Facts. 1. "Mardi Gras" translates directly to "Fat Tuesday." 2. Mardi Gras is the final day of carnival celebrations before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.. 3. Most carnival 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 2. Mardi Gras Is A State Holiday All Around The US “Fat Tuesday” is the holiday that the end of Mardi Gras falls on. It is an official holiday in Alabama, Florida and it is celebrated in parts of Louisiana. 10. Mardi Gras is More Than New Orleans. When you hear “Mardi Gras” do you only think of the New Orleans celebration? Think again. Mardi Gras is celebrated around the state! Cajun Mardi Gras can be found in the Lafayette and Eunice area. In Baton Rouge, parades roll many weekends before and during Mardi Gras. Fun Facts About Mardi Gras. It’s a Legal Holiday in Louisiana: While Mardi Gras is celebrated worldwide, it’s an official state holiday in Louisiana, where schools and businesses often close for the festivities. King Cake Tradition: King Cake, a sweet pastry decorated in Mardi Gras colors, contains a hidden plastic baby. Whoever finds the Beads, floats and partying in the street — most people associate this much with New Orleans' Mardi Gras, but here are 10 facts that aren't as well-known about the annual celebration, which
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