Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
This isn’t the kind of Mardi Gras tree we’re talking about here though. Every year on the Epiphany, January 6 th , many of us in New Orleans swap out the ornaments on our artificial Christmas trees and replace them with purple, green and gold Mardi Gras ornaments in the shape of masks, crowns, jesters, king cake babies and more. 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. 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 Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in Mardi Gras trees are exactly what you think they are: A Christmas tree decked out with Mardi Gras decorations. The exact history of the origin of Mardi Gras trees is a little fuzzy. 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. Walking back to the dorms from the Mardi Gras parades, students would throw the beads they didn't want onto the tree for good luck. If they stuck, that student would, supposedly, pass all of their 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. More parades meant more beads and by the time Mardi Gras rolled around there stood a fully decorated tree. As this new tradition spread, green and gold Christmas ornaments were added along with Mardi Gras masks and a few Fleur De Lis. Now a huge selection of Mardi Gras ornaments are available from merchants like Toomey's Mardi Gras in Mobile The blazing torches lighting the way for parade-goers during nighttime Mardi Gras festivities are called flambeaux (French for torch), and they date back to a custom established by the original Decorating {Mardi Gras} Trees :: It’s Not Just For Christmas Anymore. When I was growing up, one of my favorite things was Mardi Gras. The weekend before Mardi Gras, my mom’s extended family would come to visit from Texas and together with the Louisiana based clan, we would descend on Gonzales, LA – bear with me ‘cause I know Gonzales has nothing to do with Mardi Gras – but our And that history is far more religious than we usually recognize. Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday.’ Mardi Gras is the final day of the festivities known as Carnival and is celebrated in predominately Catholic locations around the world—most famously in cities such as New Orleans and Rio de Jainaro. This all-female krewe’s signature item is a high-heeled shoe. You can spot many of them throughout my tree. Her husband is in Bacchus so it is well represented on the tree too. See how I used all these treasures to create a fun and festive Mardi Gras tablescape in the post “30 Ways to Create a Festive Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Table“. 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 MOBILE, Ala. - After the city of Mobile pushed back some major events because of cold weather earlier this month, the Mardi Gras tree lighting is expected to take place Thursday at Mardi Gras Park. Of course, the Mardi Gras tree was the star of the show. But the Brass Band Showcase set the mood for the event. Bands that performed were:. The Excelsior Band, which started the event at 6 p.m. the city of trees parade and mardi gras festival CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW We are a local, 501(c)3 non-profit supporting diverse community initiatives that encourage curiosity, sustainability, and creative expression. This versatile mini tree adds a festive touch to your holiday tree or home decor. The tree is constructed from rich purple and cream/gold fabrics for some Christmas and Mardi Gras bling, or display this beauty in your home year round. 9. Mardi Gras Tree. What You’ll Need: Small artificial tree, a topiary tree, a Christmas tree or large branches, Mardi Gras ornaments and Christmas baubles, metallic spray paint, mini masks, beads, battery-operated lights, decorative pot or urn, floral foam Update: The iconic Bead Tree had to be removed after sustaining damage from lightning and termites that put it in imminent danger of falling. The Mardi Gras throw, a string of small spherical baubles, is a mainstay of this celebration. Cheaply made and cheaply sold these trinkets are worn and discarded in great quantities on Fat Tuesday. Some, instead of throwing the necklaces away in a trash
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |