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Mardi Gras masks add a festive and mysterious touch to the annual celebration that occurs worldwide on the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of the religious period called Lent. The Mardi Gras masks were first used in the U.S. in the early 1700s, but were banned for a period of time between the 1780s until 1827. The masks were once again worn during parties and balls beginning in the late nineteenth century.

It is believed that the original purpose of the masks was to conceal the identity of the revelers Read the rest of this entry »

Mardi Gras is celebrated in countries around the world. The following are five places that host memorable Mardi Gras festivals.

MOBILE, ALABAMA, USA
Mobile hosted the first Mardi Gras celebration in the United States in 1703 and claims responsibility for renewing the tradition after the Civil War. Mobile prides itself on having a family friendly Mardi Gras complete with annual kings, queens and royal courts.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a popular destination for college students and other revelers. The city’s historic French Quarter is the setting of numerous Read the rest of this entry »

If you want to do more than just watch Mardi Gras videos on your charlotte direct tv you’ve got to take in a parade! Aside from the quintessential New Orleans fest here are a few of our other favorites all over the US:
Lafayette – It’s just outside of New Orleans so it’s just as easy to get to but half the hassle. If you want all the festivity without all the crowds and drinking this is a good place to take in the history.
Galveston, TX – If you find yourself in Texas around the season of Mardi Gras make your way to Galveston for a Mardi Gras party all its own. You’ll find all the usual suspects – the beads, the booze and the bars – but without all the Louisiana flair. No eating crawfish!
New York City – New York has a festival for everything so you wouldn’t expect them NOT to have a Mardi Gras party! It’s right in the heart of downtown and people really get into it here. Expect costumes and authentic creole cuisine at restaurants all along the parade route.

Mardi Gras alone is a very famous traditioin that takes place every year in New Orleans. It is definitely something very exciting to come out and celebrate if you have never been there before. There is so much going on that day. It is a different experience. Mardi Gras is full of music picnics, parades, floats, and tons of excitement. Everyone usually wears purple, green, and gold. You will also see a lot of people Read the rest of this entry »

New Orleans is the largest and most popular Fat Tuesday destination in the United States. The famous parties and parades can be found on Canal Street and the French Quarter. For a family friendly Mardi Gras visit St. Charles Avenue where the party is geared toward kids.

Mobile, Alabama is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the US. Enjoy a parade every day of Mardi Gras were you can catch Moon Pies along Read the rest of this entry »

Some historians believe that the traditions associated with Mardi Gras date back thousands of years to pagan rituals involving spring and fertility. Some claim that it began when days were added to the lunar calendar, so that it would coincide with the solar calendar. They believed that since these days were outside the actual calendar, laws did not apply, and therefore, were not obeyed. As Christianity became more and more prevalent, Catholic Church leaders began to merge the pagan traditions associated with these rituals into the new Christian faith, since it would have been very difficult to Read the rest of this entry »

The Mardi Gras tradition first came to the New Orleans area with the Le Moyne brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre, who were sent in the late 1600s on behalf of the French king to defend that country’s claim to the territory. The brothers, and the expedition that they commanded, made camp near what is now New Orleans on March 3, 1699. The date happened to coincide with the French Catholic tradition of Mardi Gras, in which participants indulge in rich foods and celebration Read the rest of this entry »

The Mardi Gras tradition first came to the New Orleans area with the Le Moyne brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre, who were sent in the late 1600s on behalf of the French king to defend that country-s claim to the territory. The brothers, and the expedition that they commanded, made camp near what is now New Orleans on March 3, 1699. The date happened to coincide with the French Catholic tradition of Mardi Gras, in which participants indulge in rich foods and celebration Read the rest of this entry »