New Orleans Mardi Gras - The celebration lives on
New Orleans Mardi Gras is one of the most famous celebrations that occur in the world. It is held in the famous city in the state of Louisiana and the season officially begins on the twelfth night (January 6th). This is a season of parades and balls and king cake parties. Read more on this site!
About two weeks before Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), there is at least one major parade held each day to signify the upcoming New Orleans Mardi Gras. The largest of the all the parades takes places the last 5 days of the season. This is the week of the biggest events throughout the city. These parades are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss colorful beads into the crowds, decorated plastic cups, and small toys.
To natives of the city, they view New Orleans Mardi Gras as the final and most elaborate day of the season, however visitors and tourists tend to think of the entire Carnival season as New Orleans Mardi Gras.
New Orleans Mardi Gras first started in 1699 by the earlier French settlers. From this date on, parades were held every year and they only continued to get bigger and better.
In 1005, Hurricane Katrina crushed the city and caused many to question whether or not this would be the end of New Orleans Mardi Gras. The city basically went bankrupt after the storm and if there were to be any celebrations of any kind, they would have to be scaled down significantly. Many Krewes insisted that the “show must go on” and they still wanted to and would be ready to parade. The parade schedule for New Orleans Mardi Gras 2006 included it’s original route through the streets through Marigny and the historic French Quarter (not Bourbon Street) and other areas which weren’t severely affected by the flooding. Louisiana state troopers and National Guards had to assist with crowd control for the first time since the 1970’s but the celebration still went on and seemed to be more intense than ever before because of their enthusiasm for being alive after everything they had lost in the storms.
The traditional colors of New Orleans Mardi Gras are purple (signifies justice), green (signifies faith) and gold (signifies power). These were chosen in 1892 and consequently, were officially named the colors of Louisiana State University and Tulane University.
New Orleans Mardi Gras continues to be celebrated each and every year and it doesn’t look as though there’s going to be an end to it any time soon. If you have the opportunity, you have to visit!