Origins of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras finds its origins in the Roman tradition of Carnival, which
is Latin for "kiss your flesh goodbye." It is the long season
between Christmas and Lent in which the Romans indulged in food and drink
more than normal in preparation for the fasting which would come with the
advent of Lent. Mardi Gras itself (also know as Fat Tuesday) is the
day before Ash Wednesday, the last day to overindulge before the self
sacrifices of Lent. The actual date for Ash Wednesday changes from year to
year depending on the date of Easter.
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Future Mardi Gras dates include:
2008 . . . February
5
2009 . . . February
24
2010 . . . February
16
2011 . . . March 8
2012 . . . February 21
2013 . . . February 12
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2014 . . . March
4
2015 . . . February
17
2016 . . . February
9
2017 . . . February
26
2018 . . . February
13
2019 . . . March 5
2020 . . . February 25
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Mardi Gras Cajun Style
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A man dressed like a Southern belle. A pregnant woman
dressed like Humpty Dumpty. A whole family dressed up like Dalmatians. It
could only be Carnival Time in Louisiana! The beads, the balls and the king
cake babies of Mardi Gras are all calling your name.
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Just as the Cajun and Creole cultures are known for
their wonderful food, so Cajun Country is known for the fabulous spice it
adds to the Mardi Gras celebration. Only in Acadiana will you find the
mystery of Mardi Gras blended with Cajun and Creole magic to cook up one of
the most colorful and unique pre-Lenten celebrations in the world.
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Worldwide, Mardi Gras is known as a time to cut loose
from the daily grind and partake in a "no-holds barred"
celebration in the spirit of utter abandonment. Mardi Gras in Cajun Country
has it all - music, costumes, balls and parades - without the hassles of a
big city. We promise high-spirited excitement and revelry in a friendly,
family atmosphere.
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Lafayette Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras in Lafayette has grown to become the second largest Mardi
Gras celebration in Louisiana. Recently, Le Festival de Mardi Gras à
Lafayette and a new parade have joined the revelry to expand Lafayette's
Mardi Gras to a five-day event.
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In Lafayette, you can celebrate Mardi Gras with parades
and special events. Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette, held Mardi Gras
weekend, features rides and games on the carnival midway, live bands on the
sound stage, and a prime spot for parade viewing. The parades also roll
through downtown Lafayette, where you can participate in a costume contest
and dance in the streets to live Cajun and Zydeco music Mardi Gras day.
While most balls are private affairs, the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras
Association and the Krewe of Triton open their pomp and splendor to the
public.
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Courir de Mardi Gras
The Courir de Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras run) is Cajun Country's traditional rural
celebration dating back to the earliest days of settlement. With its roots firmly
in the medieval tradition of ceremonial begging, bands of masked and costumed
horseback riders roam the countryside "begging" for ingredients
for their communal gumbo. "Le Capitaine," a caped but unmasked
captain, leads the riders from house to house where they dance and sing for
donations such as chicken, sausage, rice and onions to be used in the
gumbo. The day's festivities end with a fais-do-do (dance) and lots of
gumbo for Mardi Gras revelers. There are dozens of Courirs des Mardi Gras
in the towns and villages surrounding Lafayette and some of them can make
arrangements for visitors to participate in the run.
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New Orleans Mardi Gras
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The New
Orleans festivities span the length of Carnival: beginning on January
6th -- the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany -- and ending on "Fat
Tuesday" (Mardi Gras day), 46 days before Easter. In the New Orleans
area, more than sixty parades roll, including the big ones--Rex, Bacchus
and Endymion.
Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats,
excitement ... and one big holiday in New Orleans!
Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold; and adorned with long
beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing
balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by
between parades.
All of the businesses and roads are practically shut down -- people are
walking everywhere and meeting new friends. People are dressed
in crazy costumes, kids are everywhere, and they love it!
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Click
to go to Official Louisiana Website
Lafayette: Heartland of French Louisiana
Cajun Country
Cajun Dictionary
Home
Last updated 10/14/06
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