New Orleans Mardi Gras
Mardigras is a holiday that is all about partying.
Parades, celebrating, costumes, floats, people are excited and it's an atmosphere of revelry and indulgence.
But what brought it to this point? What's the history behind New Orleans Mardigras? King Louis XIV, in 1704, ordered two men, the LeMoyne brothers to defend France's territories, which at the time included the areas now represented by Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Upon arriving in this area, the LeMoyne brothers found what, in their opinion, was to the be the perfect area for a colony and named it "Point du Mardi Gras.
" This is why there is a hearty Creole ancestry in this part of the United States.
Mardi Gras translates into "Fat Tuesday" and is always the day before Ash Wednesday.
This date, depending on when Easter falls on the calendar, can range between February 3rd and March 9th.
Mardi Gras - Bead Throwing Everyone recognizes the bead throwing and gathering at Mardi Gras.
Those set on balconies are equipped with the colorful beads and throw them down to the party goers.
Did you know that the colors are representative of human ideals? These colors were chosen to represent Mardi Gras in 1872: green for faith; gold for power; and purple for justice.
Beads aren't the only objects thrown during Mardi Gras parades.
"Throws" have been tossed into audiences since 1870 and usually consist of cups, doubloons, stuffed animals and other small trinkets.
Also, have you ever noticed that the folks on the floats are always masked? It is actually a law that float riders must don masks.
Because masks add to the mystique and fun of Mardi Gras, other partiers that are not on the floats join in the fun, too.
Mardi Gras - In Unique New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations are held throughout the world, but the one most widely known and loved by Americans is the New Orleans Mardigras.
New Orleans has a rich tradition steeped in a mixture of French and American cultures and is the birthplace of Jazz.
Oftentimes, New Orleans is referred to as "most unique" city in America.
New Orleans is well known worldwide for its wide range of architectural styles, as well as the above ground tombs or "cities of the dead" that make up their cemeteries.
Some of the other major attractions besides New Orleans Mardigras are the French Quarter, which is also known as Vieux Carre is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans.
This neighborhood has been dubbed as a National Historic Landmark and contains a number of historic buildings.
Another well known New Orleans Mardigras attraction is Bourbon Street, settled inside the French Quarter, and actually running through it.
This street contains numerous bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and strip clubs or "cabarets.
" But New Orleans is not just about partying.
There are distinguished universities located here as well.
Tulane and Loyola Universities are both stationed in New Orleans.
Both of these universities date far back and are characterized by excellence.
Mardi Gras - The Kids can Come Too! If you're planning a trip to New Orleans to attend the Mardi Gras celebration, it's important to note that children are definitely allowed to join in on the fun.
Make sure you bring large bags so they can keep all of the fun stuff they gather along the way.
It is best to avoid the French Quarter with the children, as this is more of an "adult" area of New Orleans.
The parade does not run through the French Quarter, so it is easy enough to avoid.
But most importantly, enjoy your time in New Orleans!
Parades, celebrating, costumes, floats, people are excited and it's an atmosphere of revelry and indulgence.
But what brought it to this point? What's the history behind New Orleans Mardigras? King Louis XIV, in 1704, ordered two men, the LeMoyne brothers to defend France's territories, which at the time included the areas now represented by Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Upon arriving in this area, the LeMoyne brothers found what, in their opinion, was to the be the perfect area for a colony and named it "Point du Mardi Gras.
" This is why there is a hearty Creole ancestry in this part of the United States.
Mardi Gras translates into "Fat Tuesday" and is always the day before Ash Wednesday.
This date, depending on when Easter falls on the calendar, can range between February 3rd and March 9th.
Mardi Gras - Bead Throwing Everyone recognizes the bead throwing and gathering at Mardi Gras.
Those set on balconies are equipped with the colorful beads and throw them down to the party goers.
Did you know that the colors are representative of human ideals? These colors were chosen to represent Mardi Gras in 1872: green for faith; gold for power; and purple for justice.
Beads aren't the only objects thrown during Mardi Gras parades.
"Throws" have been tossed into audiences since 1870 and usually consist of cups, doubloons, stuffed animals and other small trinkets.
Also, have you ever noticed that the folks on the floats are always masked? It is actually a law that float riders must don masks.
Because masks add to the mystique and fun of Mardi Gras, other partiers that are not on the floats join in the fun, too.
Mardi Gras - In Unique New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations are held throughout the world, but the one most widely known and loved by Americans is the New Orleans Mardigras.
New Orleans has a rich tradition steeped in a mixture of French and American cultures and is the birthplace of Jazz.
Oftentimes, New Orleans is referred to as "most unique" city in America.
New Orleans is well known worldwide for its wide range of architectural styles, as well as the above ground tombs or "cities of the dead" that make up their cemeteries.
Some of the other major attractions besides New Orleans Mardigras are the French Quarter, which is also known as Vieux Carre is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans.
This neighborhood has been dubbed as a National Historic Landmark and contains a number of historic buildings.
Another well known New Orleans Mardigras attraction is Bourbon Street, settled inside the French Quarter, and actually running through it.
This street contains numerous bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and strip clubs or "cabarets.
" But New Orleans is not just about partying.
There are distinguished universities located here as well.
Tulane and Loyola Universities are both stationed in New Orleans.
Both of these universities date far back and are characterized by excellence.
Mardi Gras - The Kids can Come Too! If you're planning a trip to New Orleans to attend the Mardi Gras celebration, it's important to note that children are definitely allowed to join in on the fun.
Make sure you bring large bags so they can keep all of the fun stuff they gather along the way.
It is best to avoid the French Quarter with the children, as this is more of an "adult" area of New Orleans.
The parade does not run through the French Quarter, so it is easy enough to avoid.
But most importantly, enjoy your time in New Orleans!
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