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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. The famous, elaborate floats from Mardi Gras festivities actually date back to 1857, according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. Though 1857 marked the first time these colorful floats were a part of the New Orleans Mardi Gras parades, street processions were already a tradition. In 1702, Pierre founded Mobile. According to the Mobile Carnival Museum, the first Mardi Gras was celebrated in Mobile in 1703, followed by the first Carnival in 1711. Both occurred before Jean-Baptiste founded New Orleans in 1718. Celebrations in both cities continue today, but whereas New Orleans has krewes, Mobile has mystic societies. Fun and Quirky Facts. Mardi Gras is full of fun and quirky elements that make it a truly unique celebration. Here are some lesser-known facts that add to its charm. The "krewe" system, where social clubs organize parades and balls, is a key part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Each krewe has its own theme and traditions. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was in 1837. But Mardi Gras parade floats didn’t appear in parades until 1857 when the Mystic Krewe of Comus debuted the first parade float. Since 1857, the Mardi Gras parades have only been cancelled 14 times due mostly to wars and pandemics. Not even Hurricane Katrina could cancel the Mardi Gras Mardi Gras Fun Facts – 75 Mardi Gras Fun Facts . Here are 75 fun facts about Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Pancake Day. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold, which represent justice, faith, and power, respectively. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837. 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 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 12. New Orleans became a Mardi Gras hotspot in 1857 when floats were introduced to the city's parade for the first time. 13. Mistick Krewe of Comus introduced floats to New Orleans Mardi Gras parades. Not Just New Orleans: While New Orleans hosts the most famous Mardi Gras celebration, cities like Mobile, Alabama, and St. Louis, Missouri, also have long-standing Mardi Gras traditions. The World’s Largest Free Party: Mardi Gras in New Orleans is often called the “greatest free show on Earth,” with parades and events open to all. 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. Another of the little-known facts about New Orleans relating to Mardi Gras is that members of the Krewe of Comus also chose the iconic Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and yellow in 1892. You can still enjoy Mardi Gras parties today, and attending is a great way to try New Orleans food, meet the locals, and learn about the city's culture. Find out what else “The Big Easy” is known for with these fun New Orleans facts. Also read these fun facts about Louisiana, the state where New Orleans is found! General New Orleans Facts. New Orleans is the largest city in the US state of Louisiana and 12 th largest in the Eastern United States. American Mardi Gras celebrations trace their beginnings to Mobile, Alabama, (not New Orleans) when French settlers held celebrations as early as 1703. The image above, from the 1930s, is one of the earlies pictures of a New Orleans parade. (photo via Infrogmation, CC) All About Mardi Gras . The more you know about Mardi Gras tradition, the more fun you’ll have. Here’s a primer based on facts from Mardi Gras guru Arthur Hardy. When Is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is always 47 days before Easter. Carnival season begins on Jan. 6, Twelfth Night, the Christian holy day of the Epiphany, and ends with Surprising to many people who've never experienced New Orleans' Greatest Free Show on Earth, Mardi Gras (meaning Fat Tuesday in French) is not a one-day celebration (this year Tuesday, March 4th NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 15: A float with the theme 'Children's Stories That Live Forever' in the Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras on February 15, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo Floats, nudity and parades: Mardi Gras is a time of revelry and raucousness. From king cakes to sparkly beads, here are five fun facts about the origins of Mardi Gras fixings. The History & Traditions of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since the 18th century, brought by French settlers. Today’s traditions stem from European carnival customs mixed with local culture, creating a uniquely New Orleans spectacle. Below are some interesting facts about Mardi Gras that will give you a better understanding of what is actually going on in New Orleans during the celebration. 15) Flambeau Carriers Are a Tradition Before the days of street lights and electricity, live flames were necessary to allow parade goers to see the parade floats.
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