"Throw Me Something, Mister!"--Mardi Gras Fun Facts

February 20, 2012


I confess until recently, I didn’t know much about Mardi Gras—only that it involved parades, beads, and a reputation for debauched behavior. Even though many cities worldwide celebrate Mardi Gras (which takes place tomorrow), New Orleans is perhaps the most well-known location for major Mardi Gras festivities. On our trip to New Orleans in November, we stopped in at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World for a tour and sketching. Before that trip, I learned some fun facts about Mardi Gras and New Orleans' famous celebrations in particular. For instance: 

In New Orleans, Carnival season involves many invitation-only balls and supper dances hosted by “krewes” (private clubs). These balls are traditionally very formal, with elegant decorations, tableaux presentations, and dancing for the costumed and masked members and their guests. The krewes also stage more than 50 parades during the season in the city and suburbs of New Orleans.

Historically, masks were worn to many of the balls, and eventually it became traditional to wear a mask on the street on Mardi Gras day. However, in the early 19th century, people behaved so outrageously while hidden behind masks that they were forbidden for decades!

Even though (or perhaps because?) this festival has roots in pagan celebrations, Pope Gregory XIII made Mardi Gras a Christian holiday in 1582 when he placed it on the calendar on the day before Ash Wednesday.

The first North American Mardi Gras took place when two French explorers and brothers, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, found the mouth of the Mississippi on Mardi Gras day (March 3) 1699. They made camp, named the spot Point du Mardi Gras, and celebrated. Bienville later went on to found New Orleans.

King cakes begin to be sold on Jan. 6 (also known as King’s Day). The brightly colored cakes have a small plastic baby baked inside them. According to tradition, whoever gets the baby in his or her piece has to buy the next cake.

King cake--Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
On Mardi Gras day, there are parades all day long. Sometimes as many as two million people flood the streets of New Orleans to celebrate.

Revelers line the parade routes hoping for “throws”—beads, doubloons, cups and other souvenirs. According to several New Orleans web sites, it’s a myth that you have to expose a particular body part to get beads!

Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday.

The Rex organization, which debuted in 1872, is responsible for the official Mardi Gras colors (purple, green and gold), for starting daytime parades, and for the anthem of Carnival, “If I Ever Cease to Love.” Every year, the organization chooses an outstanding civic leader to reign over Mardi Gras, and this person is known as Rex, King of Carnival. Rex arrives by boat on the Monday before Mardi Gras, and is conveyed to City Hall in a carriage where he accepts the keys to the city from city leaders. On Mardi Gras day, he rides his float through the streets of his kingdom.

Laissez les bon temps rouler! (“Let the good times roll!”) 
Do you celebrate Mardi Gras?

Want to know more? Check out Mardi Gras New Orleans  or New Orleans Online.

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8 comments

  1. Laure FerlitaFebruary 20, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    Very cool—once again, I've learned something about Mardi Gras I didn't know! I did not know about the song, "If I Ever Cease To Love."

    I saw where Will Ferrell was/is the reigning King of Bacchus this year—not doubt, having a blast!

    We should figure out a way to celebrate!

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  2. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 20, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    We should go have beignets and coffee somewhere at the very least--but I'm slammed tomorrow. I'll be running around all day. Maybe I'll wear my beads from Mardi Gras World!

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  3. TimareeFebruary 20, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    Hmmm, I think its time for the Rex foundation to update and include women as they can be outstanding civic leaders too! You've pointed out some things I didn't know about Mardi Gras. What I knew was simply that it was a day to enjoy all the foods and fun you wouldn't have again until Easter broke the lenten season.

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  4. Oregon Gifts of Comfort and JoyFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    Kathy, wow, what a great post! I didn't know any of that. I sure hope to be able to attend that sometime. You have prompted me to repost my Mardi Gras tablescape.

    Thank you so much for stopping by to visit me and for leaving such sweet comments.

    Hope that things are going well for all of you.

    Kathy M.

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  5. ElizabethFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    How fascinating - all those things I never know about Mardi Gras!! That is one holiday I've never actually celebrated, but now I want to know more!

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  6. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    Timaree--You're right--the krewes need to update themselves. I wonder if there are any all female krewes? I should check that out.

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  7. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Kathy--Your tablescape was very festive! I guess we'll have to celebrate at home until we can get back to New Orleans!

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  8. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    Elizabeth--I've never celebrated it, either. It's a good excuse to go back to NOLA, though, isn't it?

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