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Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] 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 is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. All of that can vary depending on the type of Mardi Gras you want to experience. As a general rule though, expect parades, masked riders, signature throws (from the bedazzled shoes of Muses to the sought-after coconuts at Zulu), live music, and non-stop revelry in many different forms. Add up all those beads, party favors, drink cups, and decorations, and the city estimates it tosses around 2.5 million pounds of Mardi Gras waste each year. In 2022, the city dumped 1,150 tons of Mardi Gras historian and WYES-TV Rex ball co-host [42] Errol Laborde presented a theory that the colors were based on heraldry: all three colors correspond to a heraldic tincture, and Rex's goal may have been to create a tricolor to represent their "kingdom". Purple was widely associated with royalty, while white was already heavily used on Mardi Gras Colors. In 1872, Rex, the king of Carnival, proclaimed the official colors of Mardi Gras to be purple, green and gold. While Arthur Hardy believes they were probably chosen simply because they looked good together, Rex assigned a meaning to the colors in his 1892 parade titled Symbolism of Colors: Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power. What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. 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. There is a story and a purpose behind everything you’ll experience during Carnival Time – from the king cake you’ll eat to the flambeaux who light the 3. There's A Reason The Cherished Mardi Gras Confection Is Called "King Cake." King Cake didn't get its name fortuitously. The name "King Cake" was inspired by the Bible story about Three Wise Men, who traveled with gifts for Baby Jesus on the Twelfth Night. Traditionally, the cake is first served on King's Day, January 6th, and continues being served up until the eve of Mardi Gras "to The History of Mardi Gras. While the origins of Mardi Gras can be traced all the way back to Medieval Europe, the tradition of Mardi Gras in New Orleans began in the early 1700s when French explorers brought the celebration to Louisiana. Over time, the festivities evolved into Mardi Gras as we know it today. Mardi Gras refers to events of the Carnival celebration leading up to the Christian period called Lent. A direct contrast to Lent's self-reflective, sacrificing feel, Mardi Gras celebrates the joy of life through music, revelry, and most importantly, food. Mardi Gras Party Planning MADE EASY. Mardi Gras is a fun celebration with parades, costumes, music, and yummy food! It’s the perfect chance to enjoy spicy dishes, sweet treats like King Cake, and have a great time with friends. A Mardi Gras menu made for you means no stress over what to cook—just more time to enjoy the party! Mardi Gras, in short, is a highly dynamic phenomenon, in which traditions are constantly being reinterpreted and invented anew. There is no one way to celebrate Mardi Gras. So, yes, anyone can buy some provisions and throw a “Mardi Gras party.” What day is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras literally means “fat Tuesday” in French. It is celebrated on the Tuesday before Lent because it’s the last day on which Christians (especially Catholics) can eat rich, “fatty” foods and drink alcohol. Mardi Gras is a celebration that’s open to all—it’s even family-friendly. Here’s what you need to know about Mardi Gras, including where to stay, what to eat and can’t-miss events. What Bacchus Bash (March 2, 2025): Krewe of Bacchus throws a big all-day Mardi Gras block party on Super Sunday (the Sunday before Mardi Gras) featuring live music, DJs, and VIP open bar ticket options to celebrate their historic parade. Pricing ranges from $75-600. The customs of the city’s famously enigmatic parading krewes attract special attention. For all the details, a free guided tour of the exhibition Making Mardi Gras is a great starting point—but in the meantime, four of HNOC’s interpretation assistants have assembled this FAQ to whet your krewe curiosity. March 4: Austin Mardi Gras All Stars at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul Bar. Austin Mardi Gras All Stars in downtown South Congress includes John Speice, Jimmie Dreams and Paul Deemer. Based in Austin and El Paso, these jazz artists play music on instruments ranging from the drums to the trombone. At this 21-only bar, C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, the
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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