Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the final day of celebrating before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Catholic Lent period. The event has evolved over the years and has become synonymous with the city of New Orleans, though other locales have similar celebrations. This year Mardi Gras falls on February 24th.
The celebration in New Orleans involves dozens of elaborate floats and hundreds of costumed parade marchers, plus hundreds more costumed parade watchers. Those that are in the parade are often in one of many Krewes that organize the parades and they have necklaces of colorful beads and a variety of colorful coins that they bestow on the spectators. To gain their favor, viewers with often perch on rails and other attendees in order to be better seen, many wear spectacular or bizarre costumes in order to gain favor with the Krewes. Still others remove clothing in order to become the recipient of a strign of beads or a handful of coins.
There are funny costumes, scary costumes, hostorical costumes, and costumes that don't even make sense. All are welcome at Mardi Gras.
I've never been, but it's on my list of things to do at least once. I think it'd be fun, but only if I dressed up in something truly spectacular. I wouldn't want to be in ordinary clothes.
Mardi Gras - Frequently Asked Questions
3 comments:
Mardi Gras is certainly worth seeing a few times. I've had my fill myself and prefer to stay home these days. But It can be a visual treat.
I saw a movie when I was a kid called ‘The Hanged Man’ with Robert Culp. It had the Mardi Gras as background. Everyone dressed up in costumes. It looked fantastic. When I got out of the service in 1972, I went to the Mardi Gras in 1973. No one dressed in costumes along the parade route. It was a dangerous place anywhere away from the main routes. I did get some beads and coins though. :) I’m not saying cross it off your list, VL, because I hope they managed to change it back to the way it was in 1964 - the year of the movie. I would caution you not to have your expectations too high.
Visual treat. Good description. Thanks Charles.
Well, after Katrina, my expectations are definitely not what they would have been prior, but by the time I actually go things may be better. I will be sure to be cautious though in any case.
Post a Comment