Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, French for \"Fat Tuesday\", is a state holiday in Louisiana celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday — exactly 47 days before Easter. As the culminating day of the Carnival season, it marks the last day of feasting and celebration before the Christian season of Lent begins.

Mardi Gras is deeply tied to the Christian liturgical calendar. The Carnival season begins on Epiphany (January 6, also known as Twelfth Night or King's Day) and builds in intensity over the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. The date varies each year because Easter is a moveable feast.

While Mardi Gras is celebrated in many places around the world, New Orleans, Louisiana is by far the most famous American celebration, attracting millions of visitors each year with its spectacular parades, elaborate floats, masquerade balls, and vibrant street celebrations.

Mardi Gras was brought to America by French colonists. The first recorded American Mardi Gras celebration took place in Mobile, Alabama in 1703, when French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville held a small celebration near present-day Mobile.

New Orleans celebrations began in the 1730s under French colonial rule. Early celebrations included masked balls and street parties, though they were sometimes banned due to violence. The Spanish colonial government attempted to suppress the celebrations, but they returned after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

The first organized Mardi Gras parade, or \"krewe\", was the Mistick Krewe of Comus in 1857. Comus introduced the tradition of themed floats and elaborate costumes. Rex, the King of Carnival, first appeared in 1872 and established the official Mardi Gras colors: purple (justice), gold (power), and green (faith).

Mardi Gras became a legal holiday in Louisiana in 1875. Today, the celebration generates billions of dollars in tourism revenue and is one of the largest annual events in the United States.

Parades with Elaborate Floats: Dozens of krewes parade through New Orleans in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. Major krewes include Rex, Zulu, Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus. Floats are elaborately decorated with the year's theme.

Throwing Beads, Doubloons, and Trinkets: Krewe members on floats throw beads, doubloons (aluminum coins), stuffed animals, and other trinkets to the crowd — known as \"throws.\" Catching throws is one of the most exciting parts of the celebration.

King Cake: A ring-shaped pastry decorated in purple, gold, and green icing, with a small plastic baby hidden inside. Whoever finds the baby is said to host the next king cake party or have good luck.

Krewes (Carnival Organizations): Social clubs that organize parades, balls, and other events. Each krewe has its own king and queen, theme, and traditions.

Masquerade Balls: Formal balls with elaborate costumes and masks, some dating back to the 18th century. Many are exclusive, invitation-only affairs.

The Official Colors: Purple represents justice, gold represents power, and green represents faith — established by Rex in 1872.