Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Although The Big Easy in Louisiana is perhaps best-known for its Mardi Gras revelry, the port city of Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1702 by French settlers, lays claim to being the city that first Mobile's Mardi Gras may be small compared to New Orleans, but it does bring in a lot of revenue for the city. "The last major study conducted by the University of South Alabama's business school in 2012 and it was determined, in less than a month, carnival generated over $400 million from Mobile County," Blackwell said. Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras didn't get its start in New Orleans. Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi In 1703, Mobile, Alabama was the first city recorded to have the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the U.S., according to Curious Cuisiniere. "The first documented celebration of modern-day carnival The Lake Charles Mardi Gras celebration is unique in that it is the only place in Louisiana where the public is invited to see the costumes of all the krewes in one place, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. [46] Mardi Gras began in Lake Charles as early as 1882 when King Momus landed on the lakefront to begin the celebration. [47] They say more “organized” Mardi Gras activities such as street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners began in the city soon after the founding in 1718. When the Spanish took control of New Orleans, however, these rituals were banned until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812. When did Mardi Gras start in America? The very first American Mardi Gras celebration took place in March 1699 after two French settlers landed near present-day New Orleans and brought their traditions with them. The French colonists who followed over the proceeding decades introduced the "Galette des Rois," or king cake, which is how it became 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. Two additional dates of historic importance in New Orleans Mardi Gras lore are 1875, the year the State of Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal state holiday, and 1889, the year of the first documented reference of women exposing their breasts at the event, reported by a Times-Democrat reporter who observed, “the degree of immodesty Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. History of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras was observed for the first time in the New World by French pioneers at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff, the first settlement of Mobile way back in 1703. For hundreds of years, the city has celebrated Mardi Gras with huge dinners, lavish parties, and street parades. Other famous aspects of Mardi Gras celebrations include cheap beads and trinkets that are thrown from parade floats to the people watching the parade and people wearing elaborate masks and costumes . How Did Mardi Gras Start. Mardi Gras, also called Carnival, is a festive season that occurs before the Christian season of Lent. The word “mardi” means “fat” in French, and “gras” means “fatty.” Mardi Gras is thus a celebration of fat and indulgence before the period of fasting and abstinence that Lent represents. History of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras was observed for the first time in the New World by French pioneers at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff, the first settlement of Mobile way back in 1703. When did Mardi Gras start in America? In 1699, Mardi Gras is said to have made its way to North America, thanks to French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville. He settled down near present-day New Orleans and brought the tradition with him. Where the first official celebration actually happened, however, is up for constant debate New Orleans is the most famous city for Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States, but Mobile, Alabama, claims to have the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the country, dating back to 1703. Mardi Gras Traditions. Mardi Gras is known for its unique and lively traditions. Despite popular belief, New Orleans did not host the first Mardi Gras. Because it is a port city with a direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico located about 140 miles east of New Orleans, Mobile was the first place where the tradition began. Where Did The Mardi Gras Originally Start? Mardi Gras Trivia. Did you know these fun facts? Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday” in French, is a day to indulge in rich foods before the fasting of Lent. New Orleans bursts into a kaleidoscope of parades, costumes, and beads during its world-famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |