Mardi Gras

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I'm a carnival lover. I used to travel with the carnival back about 50+ years ago. I would love to rent one of the rooms up several stories in an ornate New Orleans BNB or other public establishment and watch the parades and goings-on from my room. A dream I keep tucked neatly away in my "bucket list" pocket. Here's some interesting info on the Mardi Gras. In 1857 a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with rolling floats and marching bands setting the tone for futures celebrations in the city. Krewes have remained a fixture of the carnival scene in Louisiana. Other lasting costumes include masks, beads, and trinkets, eating King cakes and decorating floats. "Krewes" are groups with hereditary membership. They are the ones who organize and participate as costumed paraders in annual Mardi Gras parades and functions. In New Orleans, Carnivale season begins after Epiphany or Twelfth Night and is on January 6. It has also been traditionally apart of the Winter social season. Plenty of masked balls, parades, and king cake parties take place during this time. At one time young women’s coming out parties or detente parties were scheduled during this time. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. In other parts of the country, such as Alabama and Mississippi, have elaborate carnival festivals and each region has its own events and traditions. Pre-Lenton festivals take place in countries with significant Roman Catholic populations. In Canada, Quebec City hosts the giant Quebec Winter Carnival. In Denmark, the children gather candy much like Halloween in the US. In Venice, Italy there is the famous Carnevale in which they have masquerade balls that date back to the 13th century. This year the Mardi Gras will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.