King’s Day In New Orleans, Kicks Off Start Of Mardi Gras 2023

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a Carnival celebration held in New Orleans, Louisiana and other cities around the world. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to ancient Roman times, when people would celebrate the arrival of spring with feasts and parties.

The tradition of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, however, has a more specific and recent history. It is believed that the first Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans was held on March 3, 1699, when French explorers arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi River and named the area “Point du Mardi Gras” in honour of the celebration.

Mardi Gras eventually became a popular celebration in New Orleans, with the first recorded Mardi Gras parade occurring in 1837. The parades were organized by social clubs called “krewes,” which were made up of wealthy and influential members of the community. These krewes would hold lavish balls and parades, with floats and costumes, to celebrate Mardi Gras.

One of the most famous krewes in New Orleans is the Krewe of Rex, which was founded in 1872. The Krewe of Rex is known for choosing the colours and themes of each year’s Mardi Gras celebration, which are then adopted by the other krewes. The colours of Mardi Gras – purple, green, and gold – were chosen by the Krewe of Rex in 1892 and have become synonymous with the holiday.

Mardi Gras is typically celebrated in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. The celebration culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday when people take to the streets for parades, parties, and feasts.

In the early 20th century, Mardi Gras in New Orleans became more commercialized, with more tourists and visitors coming to the city to participate in the festivities. Today, Mardi Gras is a major tourist attraction in New Orleans, with millions of people visiting the city each year to experience the parades, parties, and traditions of the holiday.

In addition to the parades and parties, Mardi Gras is also known for its food, particularly the King Cake. The King Cake is a traditional pastry made of sweet dough and topped with icing and sprinkles in the colours of Mardi Gras – purple, green, and gold. A small plastic baby is often hidden inside the cake, and whoever finds the baby in their slice is crowned “king” or “queen” for the day.

Despite its origins as a Christian holiday, Mardi Gras is now a secular celebration that is enjoyed by people of all faiths and backgrounds. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the joy and revelry of the season.