Insider’s Tips to Mardi Gras!
Sixty parades, 115 formal balls, 1200 floats, 600 bands, 4,000,000 pounds of beads and a cast of thousands. Sound like a Hollywood monster movie production starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? No, it’s Mardi Gras 2010!
If you’ve been before, you know! If you have not, consider yourself clueless and that lack of expertise in this case can make or break your Mardi Gras experience. So read on, and think seriously about coming to Mardi Gras at least once in your lifetime. It (your life) won’t be complete without it. Trust me!
Q&A-Some basics:
Is Mardi Gras connected to religion and how are the dates selected?
Yes, The Catholic Church licensed “Carnival”, which means “farewell to flesh” as a period of feasting before the fasting of Lent. The Church also established the set date for the start of the Carnival season-January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany-and the fluctuating date of Mardi Gras. The date of Mardi Gras Day is connected to the movable date of Easter, which can fall on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25. Mardi Gras is scheduled 47 days before Easter and therefore can occur on any Tuesday from February 3 through march 9. Carnival refers to the season of merriment which always begins on January 6 and Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) is the single culminating day of Carnival, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday is a reference to the fatted bull or ox, the last day meat can be eaten before Lent begins.
What is a Krewe and what is the origin of the first Mardi Gras Balls and Parades held in New Orleans?
On February 24, 1857 the Mistick Krewe of Comus, Carnival’s first secret society, coined the work “krewe” to give its club an Old English flavor and choose a mythological namesake for the purpose of presenting a themed parade with floats followed by a tableaux ball. Twelfth Night, the feast of Epiphany, was celebrated by Creole society from the early days of colonial Louisiana. These Bals de Roi (the King’s Ball) were given at plantations and homes for family and friends; the highlight was the cutting of the King Cake (Gateau des Rois). Subsequently, the finder of the bean—la feve—in his or her slice of cake became Le Roi or La Reine de la feve, and they would reign over the next ball, which they were to host. Thus a series of balls began each season and continued until the final great ball of Mardi Gras evening. These traditions were formalized with the organization and first appearance of the Twelfth Night Revelers on January 6, 1870. During the first six years, the ball of Twelfth Night Revelers was preceded by a pageant through the streets of New Orleans, with small floats, brass bands, torches, and a host of Revelers marching inside large paper-mâché forms. These small parades and balls eventually developed into the mega parades and formal Carnival Balls that exist today. Carnival Balls are private formal affairs by invitation only. More than 115 balls are presented in the major hotels of New Orleans today.
What do the Carnival colors mean?
There are three colors of Mardi Gras: purple, green and gold. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith and gold signifies power. Rex, the King of Carnival, selected them in 1872 for his first parade. They were probably chosen because they looked appealing, but in 1892 they were assigned a meaning.
Do’s and Don’t of Mardi Gras
Don’t assume that it’s all decadent and wild. Mardi Gras is mostly a family experience and lots of locals bring the kids for a day of parading.
Don’t look for a hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation based on room rate. Keep in mind that you will be at the parades most of the day. There are no public facilities provided by the city. If you bathroom is blocks away, you will be at a distinct disadvantage. Parking is another concern. And a place to take a “break.” Find the location first and then check the rate. Be willing to pay much more than normal for a room with a view of the parades because it will be worth it.
Don’t expect restaurants to be open all weekend long and on Mardi Gras. Like Christmas, everything is closed. You will need to pack a lunch in a cooler or eat at street vendor joints. There are a few restaurants that sell parade seating and all day buffet access.
Don’t allow kids and adults acting like kids to climb trees or utility poles to see the parades. Barricades are erected by the city to protect the public, be sure to stand behind them and avoid injury.
Do plan ahead. Most of the best rooms book up six months in advance.
Do not rent a car unless you have to do so. You really can’t go anywhere during the parades.
Do bring a costume for Mardi Gras day. The more lavish, the better.
Do have clothes for both cold and warm weather, rain or shine. The parades roll in all kinds of circumstances and are rarely canceled.
Do consider purchasing a parade ladder from the local hardware store. This will allow smaller children to see the parades and catch plenty of beads. There are safety and city ordnance rules associated with these ladders. Be sure to check them out to be safe and smart.
Do check online for tickets to a Krewe Ball. Some of the super Krewe’s open their formal function to the public. Its like no other party you have ever attended. Dress to impress- attire is always formal.
Do leave valuables at home. This is not a time to break out the bling.
****************************************************************************************************************************
Have you been to Mardi Gras? We would love to hear about your experiences and what you recommend for others considering a visit to the biggest party in the country. Make your comments below.
Popularity: 14% [?]
