Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. Related popular practices are associated with Shrovetide celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent.



Being close to NOLA my town is in Super Party Mode right now.
All the parks are full of people and loud music of all sorts is everywhere.
Parades, parade floats parked at the parks and parking lots, beads and cabbage, streamers and king cakes.



Its been crazy all day but now the workday is winding to a close it has ramped up its intensity 10 fold.
The whole region is partying!



Depending on where you're from, the fried foods traditionally eaten on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, range from the sweet -- like doughnuts and King Cake -- to the savory -- like fried Po'Boys. In the UK, Fat Tuesday is Pancake Day, and in Poland, it's Paczki Day -- which refers to the jelly-filled doughnuts they eat.



Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Western Christian tradition). Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the Mardi Gras season. In the final week, many events occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities, including parades and balls (some of them masquerade balls).



There's people all dressed up...everywhere!













Each Mardi Gras Parade Krewe has a unique history and theme. Some have been around for decades, while others have been in existence for just a few years.

Traditional Mardi Gras organizations form a "krewe." A krewe often names their parade after a particular Roman or Greek mythological hero or god. The ranking structure of a Mardi Gras Krewe is a parody of royalty: King, Queen, Dukes, Knights and Captains, or some variation of that theme. Many of the more established krewes allow membership by invitation only.

Below is a full list of Mardi Gras Parade Krewes.

Krewe of Zulu
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-of-zulu
Early in 1909, a group of laborers in a club named “The Tramps” went to the Pythian Theater to see a musical comedy that included a skit entitled, "There Never Was and Never Will Be a King Like Me" about the Zulu Tribe. According to legend, after seeing the skit, they retired to their meeting place (a room in the rear of a restaurant/bar in the 1100 block of Perdido Street), and emerged as Zulus. The rest, as they say, is history.

Mardi Gras Indians
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/mardi-gras-indians/
Mardi Gras is full of secrets, and the Mardi Gras Indians are as much a part of that secrecy as any other carnival organization. Their parade dates, times and routes are never published in advance, although they do tend to gather in the same areas every year.
The Mardi Gras Indians are comprised, in large part, of the African-American communities of New Orleans's inner city. While these Indians have paraded for well over a century, their parade is perhaps the least recognized Mardi Gras tradition.

Krewe of Bacchus
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-of-bacchus
Early in 1968, the Krewe of Bacchus broke with Carnival tradition by staging a Sunday night parade with bigger and more spectacular floats than anything previously seen in Carnival. They then decided to have a national celebrity king lead the parade, breaking ranks with 113 years of Carnival tradition. Founded by Owen “Pip” Brennan Jr, Bacchus set out to be the most innovative and imitate Krewe of the Century.

Krewe of Rex
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-of-rex
New this year! THE 2020 REX BALL AND THE MEETING OF THE COURTS OF REX AND COMUS. Tune in to wyes.org beginning at 7:30 pm on Mardi Gras evening for coverage of the ball live from the Sheraton and Marriott Hotels in downtown New Orleans.
With his grand traditions, rich and colorful themes, elaborate costumes and hand-painted floats, Rex is the King of Carnival.
Rex, officially the School of Design, has held more parades than any other organization. They are the origin of many Mardi Gras traditions, including the official Carnival colors of purple, green and gold, as well as the collectible doubloon coins (introduced by Rex in 1960). The Krewe consists of 600 male riders and parades on the New Orleans Uptown route on Mardi Gras day, immediately after Zulu.

Krewe of Endymion
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-of-endymion
Endymion, a figure from Greek mythology, was a mortal granted eternal youth by Zeus, at the request of the Moon Goddess who loved him for his beauty. It is also the name of one of Carnival's largest parade with 3,200 riders and 81 floats.


'tit Rəx
'tit Rəx is New Orleans first and only MicroKrewe. A group of artists, business people, teachers, workers and bon vivants founded 'tit Rəx in 2009 in a response to the super krewes constantly setting records for floats, throws and extravagance.

Covington Lions Club
This krewe was founded in 1959 by the civic society. Along with traditional Mardi Gras floats, antique car clubs, multiple family vehicles, multiple dance groups, and the Saints Super Fans, prepare to be dazzled by The Ride of the Brotherhood on motorcycles, the Shriners in buggies, and horses

Fools of Misrule
This festive Northshore marching parade, founded in 2011, features flambeaux, a brass band and costumed revelers. It’s every bit as impressive as any parade of its kind in the city itself. Their rituals are derived from an ancient English men's group that clamored along the evening streets

Funky Uptown Krewe
The Funky Uptown Krewe rolls on a St. Charles Streetcar a few blocks behind the Phunny Phorty Phellows on Twelfth Night. In its first year, 2019, the krewe members tossed custom-made CDs featuring songs by New Orleans bands including Bonerama, The Hot 8 Brass Band and Cowboy Mouth.

Knights of Babylon
The Knights of Babylon were found in 1939, by a group of professionals called The Jester’s Club. Their goal: to stage a first-class parade that would delight the public. Babylon is a firm believer in tradition and uses floats with the same designs as were used more than seventy years ago.

Knights of Chaos
According to Greek mythology, Chaos was the void out of which the universe and all its gods were created. In 2000, the Knights of Chaos filled the void created when the Knight of Momus stopped parading in 1992 after 100 years. The 225 member all-male krewe parades on the Thursday before Fat Tuesday

Knights of Nemesis
The Knights of Nemesis take its name from the goddess of retribution in the Greek mythology. In 2004, a group of one-time members from the Krewe of Gladiators and several long-time carnival parade riders came together and formed the Knights of Nemesis Social Club and Parade.

Knights of Sparta
Founded in 1952, the Knights of Sparta take their name from the city-state in southern Greece, renowned for its simple, stoic ways and exemplary disciplines. The Knights of Sparta, an all-male krewe, first paraded in 1981 in Orleans Parish.

Krewe Bohème
The Krewe Bohème is a marching parade which travels through the Marigny and the French Quarter. It is the first parade to roll after Twelfth Night. Their goal is to present a visual and auditory feast of mystery, artistry and fun.

Krewe d'Etat
Founded in 1996, Le Krewe d'Etat motto is “Live to Ride, Ride to Live. Its floats adhere to a traditional style of design that impart Le Krewe d'Etat's satirical theme, which has been voted "Best of Carnival" by critics. The parade features 24 floats, including a special signature …

Krewe de Paws of Olde Towne
Founded in 2009, Olde Towne Slidell's canine carnival krewe is based at Café Du Bone Dog Bakery and Boutique. Members of the krewe parade their costumed pooches in wagons, strollers and shopping carts. Non-marching dogs are welcome along the route as well.

Krewe du Vieux
When the Krewe of Clones (founded in 1978) decided to become more respectable, Craig "Spoons" Johnson and Don Marshall decided to keep the parade's original raucous, art-inspired spirit alive by starting Krewe du Vieux Carré.

Krewe of Alla
Two carnival clubs with histories steeped in military tradition honor the armed forces and first responders from across the country with this joint parade. The Krewe of Alla is one of the oldest and most storied krewes in Carnival.

Krewe of Argus
The Krewe of Argus, founded in 1972, includes 450 male, female and child riders. Over a million revelers looking for family-oriented parades flock to the Veterans Memorial Parade Route in Metairie on Mardi Gras Day to see Argus' spectacular floats, marching bands and guest celebrities.

Krewe of Athena
The Krewe of Athena Carnival Club, Inc. is an all-female Mardi Gras club in Greater New Orleans. Founded in 2014, the club is named after the Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts and …

Krewe of Atlas
The Krewe of Atlas is founded on the principles of equality for all. Their principal belief is that Mardi Gras is something that should be celebrated by everyone. The krewe encompasses people from all walks of life, and their invitation is open to everyone to join them in a great time of celebration…

Krewe of Bacchus
Early in 1968, the Krewe of Bacchus broke with Carnival tradition by staging a Sunday night parade with bigger and more spectacular floats than anything previously seen in Carnival.

Krewe of Barkus
The Mystic Krewe of Barkus isn’t like other Mardi Gras parades: this one has gone to the dogs. Man’s best friend is the center of this parade through the streets of the French Quarter with their humans acting as their escorts.

Krewe of Bilge
Sometimes floats float! The Krewe of Bilge is a Mardi Gras boat parade in Slidell, Louisiana. For the last 40 years, Bilge has thrown beads, cups and other Carnival treasures to parade goers from the middle of Slidell waterways.

Krewe of Bosom Buddies
The Krewe of Bosom Buddies & Breast Friends is a walking krewe that parades in the French Quarter on the Friday before Mardi Gras. Founded in 2013, they set out to create “a laid-back, inexpensive, fun, colorful and fearless walking krewe full of fabulous women and the men who support them.

Krewe of Bush
This fun family parade, held every year on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, features trucks, boats, floats, horses and ATV's. It’s free for your krewe to ride, roll or walk. Just bring your own throws!

Krewe of Carrollton
The Krewe of Carrollton is the fourth oldest Carnival parading organization, behind Rex, Proteus, and Zulu. It was founded by a group of Oak Street businessmen in 1924 as "The Seventh District Carnival Club” and became the Krewe of Carrollton in 1947.

Krewe of Centurions
The 350+ co-ed Krewe of Centurions were named after legendary ancient Roman warriors who commanded “centuries” – companies of 100 men. Founded in 1979 by businessmen

Krewe of Chahta
Founded in 1989, the Krewe of Chahta’s was named for Chahta-Ima High School in Lacombe on the North Shore. It all started in 1989 by a group of friends who had gathered at a local watering hole called The Morocco Room.

Read more, lots more... http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewes

Anyone in the US southern region interested in setting up a meet should know Mardi Gras in NOLA is one HELLAVA event worthy of consideration.

Be Safe and use common sense.

Immediately reminded me of Carnaval we had here, tonight the last night. Also with parade floats/wagons etc. I looked it up and it says this:

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” — meaning it is the last opportunity to eat rich food before the fast of Lent begins. It is related to celebrations elsewhere, called “carnivals,” from the Latin words carne and vale, “meat” and “farewell,” meaning a farewell to meat before the abstinence of Lent.

I never would've thought Mardi Gras is basically the same as our Carnaval!
People then also dress up all kinds up ways, not skeleton / death related, can be anything from a monk, nun, to a clown or burlesque dancer.

The builders of the wagons or walking groups have often also existed for a long time.

This is one of the wagons from the village I was born, themed around the Amazone issues, called "Amazonde" (Amasin).

Cool, do a lot of people attend?
Its a pretty big shinding here near NOLA.
The Big Easy seems to go crazy this time of year.
I'm about 50 miles away but the party is still pretty strong.







Do y'all throw beads and trinkets to the parade crowds?

Throwing the beads from the floats became such a huge hit, all krewes adopted the practice, and Mardi Gras has never been the same. ...
The colors of the beads hold more significance than the act of throwing them.
The Purple represents justice,
the Green symbolizes faith and
the Gold exemplifies power.
Every year, roughly 12.5 thousand tons of Mardi Gras beads are thrown from floats.

You should see the streets after a parade.

Contrary to popular belief, public nudity is illegal in New Orleans. (Many a bared breast does not a lawful act make.) You can be arrested for flashing, but you probably won't be disbarred for it because it's not a crime of moral turpitude, and it doesn't reflect on your propensity for truthfulness.

Beer, wine and liquor can be sold in grocery stores, including on Sundays. While bars close at 2am statewide, in New Orleans they can stay open 24 hours, and people can carry open street containers.

I've bought two King Cakes so far this year.
One creme cheese filled and one strawberry filled.
I have one gold baby and one caucasion baby like in the pic below.

King Cakes are oval-shaped to symbolize the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors - purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power. A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is traditionally hidden inside each King Cake.
The baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it in their slice of cake. That person is also responsible for purchasing next year's cake, or for throwing the next Mardi Gras party.

Yes, it's a Catholic thing meaning the whole south of the country is celebrating it, from Friday night till pubs close on Tuesday night.
Then Wednesday during the day, I believe Ash Wednesday?, there's tradition eating of for instance pea soup (traditional Dutch thing) or some other Dutch dish.

There's a few areas in the east of the country that are Catholic, they too celebrate it. Each town or city will have a parade.

Carnaval is big if you're in the south. I used to always go out as well. It's lot of fun, partying, no judgement but togetherness etc. Everyone is one during Carnaval, so there's a great vibe. Typical Carnaval dancing (not like disco dancing or something).
I always loved it! 4,5 days of fun and partying and going out and dancing!

I went to Eunice, small scale hedonizom. LOL

A few of the chalices I’ve made for the King Arthur Krewe in the past.
Lots of debauchery and fun lol :)

After Hurricane Katrina, a couple guys from Pass Christian (next door to Tom) moved up to this little town in NW Arkansas and started a traditional Mardi Gras here. They had been involved in the ones on the Gulf coast. This was our 15th year celebrating Mardi Gras. This year I just watched the parade and spent time with a couple friends. This was the first year I did not have an active roll in at least one of the events. I do plan on getting back active again next year!! It is a great celebration and helps support the community. Lots of fun but hard on old guys!!

I'm missing it right now, being out here in Rodeo New Mexico instead of home... It's normally my back yard, and I can't get out of my driveway when Endymion passes on Canal St, and it goes till late, so I just kick back and watch history roll by.... Mardi Gras... Timeless but with a timeline I always say... First one I've missed in quite awhile....

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!!!!!

Who Dat Nation!!!! Who Dat!!!!

Happy Mardi Gras everybody!!! and y'alls invited next year!!!

To add.... we Goths have our own crew that's about 300 strong, and getting larger. We walk through the Quarter, Dressed in our finest regalia on Lundi Gras (Mardi Gras Eve) and throw black and silver beads, with bats, Draculas, Werewolves, Ghosts n such, decorating our beads.

We chant or sing loudly so you know the haunted parade is coming. It's usually lead by Lord Chaz (lordchaz.com) one of the best tour guides that ever walked this earth, and alone worth the visit to NOLA.

Fantastic Comments Everybody!
Mardi Gras is amazing if you never experienced it there's lots of reasons to go.
The vitality of the people is wonderful.
darkowl I think I may have seen yer krewe a few years ago - simply fun and rich.
Here in BSL its always a treat when one of the Krewes from NOLA show up.
The bayside strip near the pier and harbor has been building up recently.
Lots of great restaurants and night clubs.
I bet they're just packed with revelers!

BSL would be a great place for a Mingle meet. Not as many people as NOLA but could be a meeting point for a group trip to NOLA. Could also run the beach hwy 90 all the way to Biloxi. I bet the Hard Rock is packed too. Plus that brand new aquarium will be open soon in Gulfport. HWY 90 is littered with casinos and all have hotel accommodations and great food.
Certainly a great experience if ya never been.
Plus, we would have a year to plan it out.

Let's not forget Baton Rouge, Hammond, Covington & Slidell. Plus there's 6 Flags, gator farms & swamp tours.
Lots of stuff to do!

Was there last spring and enjoyed it. A meet would be great - spring, late fall, or winter - count me in!

Bastet, those chalices are fantastic!

Great thread Tom.... I took 27 from Orlando to 98, to 90, all the way to Lafayette, then I-10 to San Antonio, then took 90 again out to Van Horn, then I-10 to I-8, to San Diego. If you ever get the chance, I can't say enough about the beauty and change of topography across this amazing place. 90 is a very special part of it....