Like so many Carnival innovations, the fountain was the brainchild of Blaine Kern. In a 2012 article for Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide, Kern explained that the idea for the fountain sprang Like many innovations in Carnival, the Mardi Gras Fountain on the New Orleans lakefront was the brainchild of Blaine Kern, who claims that the inspiration for the landmark came from his trip to Like so many Carnival innovations, the fountain was the brainchild of Blaine Kern. Inspired by fountains in Europe in the 1950’s, Mardi Gras Fountain was dedicated on Sept. 16, 1962. It includes 70 ceramic tile plaques displaying the crests of the city’s Carnival krewes including the Krewe of Okeanos. It was badly damaged by Hurricane Betsy (1965 and only 2 years after the dedication of the Mardi Gras Fountain), and sat derelict for several years, before being restored. Then, in 2005, the entire area, including the Mardi Gras Fountain, was devastated, once again. For years the Mardi Gras Fountain would be the premier lakefront area attraction, a place of beauty and fun for kids and adults. On May 25, 2005, the Mardi Gras Fountain was rededicated, with a 2.4 million dollar renovation. All the features of the original fountain have been upgraded, with new walkways, lighting, and benches. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. 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. After the Civil War, Comus returned to the parade scene in 1866. Four years later, the Twelfth Night Revelers debuted. This unique group made Carnival history at its 1871 ball when a young women was presented with a golden bean hidden inside a giant cake, signifying her selection as Mardi Gras’ first queen and starting the “king cake” tradition. There is no pinpointing the origins of the celebration known today as Carnival or Mardi Gras. Indeed, because its most elemental characteristics — drinking and feasting, dancing and music, masks and costumes — extend back into the mists of time, there’s no tidy way to connect the dots between prehistoric cave paintings of dancing stick-like figures wearing animal masks and the modern pre The Krewe Crests were designed by famous carnival float builder Blaine Kern. For years the Mardi Gras Fountain would be the premier lakefront area attraction, a place of beauty and fun for kids and adults. On May 25, 2005, After more than 45 years of service, the Mardi Gras Fountain was rededicated, with a 2.4 million dollar renovation. 9 reviews and 58 photos of MARDI GRAS FOUNTAIN "Mardi Gras fountain is a landmark that I didn't even know was check in-able! I think it was built to honor all of New Orleans' Mardi Gras krewes. It really is a gorgeous landmark, now that it's been redone, albeit a bit out of the way." That parade is a legendary hallmark of New Orleans Mardi Gras, extending back for over a century to the days of Buddy Bolden, one of the earliest jazz musicians whose connection to early jazz and Zulu was immortalized by Duke Ellington in his 1957 folk-operatic history of jazz, A Drum is a Woman. Gold and red blazers stopped to shake hands and Join us on a journey to explore one of New Orleans' hidden gems – the Mardi Gras Fountain! Located along the scenic Lakeshore Drive near Lake Pontchartrain, After the Civil War, Comus returned to the parade scene in 1866. Four years later, the Twelfth Night Revelers debuted. This unique group made Carnival history at its 1871 ball when a young women was presented with a golden bean hidden inside a giant cake, signifying her selection as Mardi Gras’ first queen and starting the “king cake” tradition. Mardi Gras Fountain Gentilly New Orleans, Louisiana. This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to help show content that is more relevant to your interests. Like so many Carnival innovations, the fountain was the brainchild of Blaine Kern. Inspired by fountains in Europe in the 1950’s, Mardi Gras Fountain was dedicated on Sept. 16, 1962. It includes 70 ceramic tile plaques displaying the crests of the city’s Carnival krewes including the Krewe of Okeanos. This is the final weekend of the Mardi Gras season and in Montgomery, the Mardi Gras Block Party will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Court Square Fountain on Dexter Avenue. There will be beads The most important facet of any fountain is the water, and during its heyday, the Mardi Gras Fountain made a show of it, with dancing geysers shooting 30 feet high into the air, illuminated in ABOUT MARDI GRAS. In 1840, the Galveston City Company founder, Michel Menard, hosted the first masquerade ball on the island, most probably, as a housewarming. On March 26, 1856, history was made as the first Mardi Gras ball in Galveston was held at the house. The Galveston News reported the next day that over 300 guests attended. We invite all Karneval/Mardi Gras lovers from around the world to the spacious and beautiful Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 39th Annual German American Mardi Gras Association Gala The History of the German version of Karneval: Karneval goes by many names depending on what area of Europe you are from: Fasching, Karneval
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