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
