Ah, the whimsical jester hats that add a touch of playful charm to the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans! These hats, adorned with colorful bells and festive Mardi Gras designs, pay homage to the jesters of medieval times who entertained royal courts with their jests and antics. The origin of the mardi gras jester is thought to date back to ancient Rome, where they were known as “fools” or “joculatores.” The tradition was then adopted by the French during the Middle Ages, and the jester became a staple of mardi gras celebrations in New Orleans. The Knights of Babylon were found in 1939, by a group of professionals called The Jester’s Club. Their goal: to stage a first-class parade that would delight the public. Jesters in Carnival represent the license to poke fun with abandon, just as jesters in the medieval courts of Europe could speak truth to power with impunity. In New Orleans at Carnival time, omnipresent jester imagery serves as a constant reminder that true Carnival custom involves the spirit of merry mockery and reverence for the wisdom of fools. The Krewe of Athena Carnival Club, Inc. is an all-female Mardi Gras club in Greater New Orleans. Founded in 2014, the club is named after the Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts and read more » Float riders toss beads, cups and doubloons to fans and revelers in the 2013 Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 10, 2013, in New Orleans Skip Bolen—Getty Images Beads and Throws The 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, Louisiana. They held a Zulu queen Crystal Monique Guillemet waves to the crowd during the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade on Mardi Gras in New Orleans on March 1, 2022. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File) Specialties: This family-owned company started with a single Bourbon Street establishment more than 40 years ago. With that success, the owners eventually expanded its French Quarter presence, opening additional locations and developing the recipe for the now iconic Jester Daiquiri. "The World's Strongest Drink, Drink A JESTER" Mardi Gras History and Traditions Learn about the famed celebration's cultural roots and traditions. Mardi Gras is so much more special when you understand what you’re celebrating and what each tradition means to the generations of parade-goers who have stood on parade routes before you. New Orleans & Company 2020 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 800-672-6124 Beistle 3 Piece Plush Fabric Glitz 'N Gleam Jester Hats For New Orleans Party Supplies And Mardi Gras Costume Accessories $31.99 $ 31 . 99 FREE delivery Sun, Jan 19 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon Algiers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival. The Algiers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival will be back on Saturday, February 1 at New Orleans Federal City in Algiers. Entertainment will include Brass-A-Holics, Amanda Shaw, The U.S. Marine Reserve Jazz Band and more. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and the Festival begins at 10 a.m. New Orleans & Company 2020 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 800-672-6124 New Orleans & Company 2020 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 800-672-6124 The 440 riders on 29 floats will be throwing float-specific beads, sports towels, playing cards, and a trio of Rex doubloons. Signature floats include the animated Butterfly King Float, Jester, His Majesty's Bandwagon, and the Boeuf Gras. Rex rolls on Mardi Gras Day at 10:30 a.m. on the Uptown parade route. “New Orleans has many famous musicians, chefs and writers," Weitz said, "But there’s only been one Mr. Mardi Gras and that was Blaine Kern." Since 1947, Kern and his company Kern Studios have designed and built floats for some of the most popular parades in Carnival history, including Rex, Zulu, Bacchus, Endymion, Orpheus and Muses. Artist Neil Eyre Eyredesigns Gnome Gonk Jester Joker Feather Hat Red Rose Mardi Gras Party New Orleans Festival Fat Tuesday Traveling Troll (3.6k) Sale Price $43.31 $ 43.31 New Orleans Jester with Fleur de Lis. Regular price $35.00 USD. Sale price NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS ACCENTS STREET GASLIGHT. Regular price $18.00 USD. Sale price New Orleans Jesters Mardi Gras Soccer Camp. The New Orleans Jesters offer a soccer camp during the Mardi Gras Holidays at the Fly. The camp will be run by the Jesters coaches and will be lots of fun with games and activities in addition to daily technical training. Mardi Gras Camp will run Wed 3/5, Thu 3/6 and Fri 3/7 from 9:00 AM – 12 PM
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