Celebrate Mardi Grass
Like a Local in NOLA By Susan Salaz
In New Orleans, Carnival is a community celebration. And you are invited.
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Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) and the Carnival season is so much more than one night in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here, locals and visitors alike can enjoy weeks of festivities—from the Christian holy day of the Epiphany (January 6th) to the Tuesday night before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (February 14th this year). Parades, costumes and king cakes mark the season, where the only winter blues are found being played by the jazz musicians on corners throughout town.
Steeped in tradition, Mardi Gras celebrations date back to the 1700s and have been a tourist attraction since the beginning. Parties are held throughout the duration, but the best time to visit is the week leading up to Fat Tuesday. During this time, parades fill the streets, each operated by its own krewe, or social organization. 
On the final day, the krewe of Zulu kicks off with a morning parade marked by lavish floats and a colorful honor guard known as Soulful Warriors. Immediately following on a slightly different route, the krewe of Rex—one of the oldest Mardi Gras parade participants—features elaborate costumes and hand-painted floats.
As the spectacle continues, locals know these processions aren’t just for watching. Bring a bag and be sure to yell, “Throw me something, mister!” for a productive parade haul. While mainstay throws include beads, cups and candy, signature throws signify certain krewes, with the Zulu tossing hand-painted coconuts, Rex lobbing doubloons, Muses slinging shoes, and many more. Catching a throw is exciting stuff, so be sure to bring a bag to carry your new treasures home. |
Resident revealers know to wear costumes, and you should, too. Anything goes at Mardi Gras, and the more extravagant, the better. Shiny fabric, bold patterns and traditional colors are always encouraged. Accessories should always include feathers, and beads are non-negotiable. Style is paramount, but under it all, comfort cannot be compromised, especially when it comes to footwear, because dancing and sight-seeing are a must during Mardi Gras.
Since it’s Fat Tuesday, feasting is a big part of the celebration, and New Orleans cuisine is full of Cajun and Creole specialties. The Court of Two Sisters is one of the most famous restaurants in the French Quarter, serving a live jazz brunch buffet and dinner that includes all the Southern favorites, from turtle soup to Louisiana puppy drum. Try Chef Meg’s King Cake ice cream or a Mardi Gras Sidecar cocktail from Commander’s Palace just a few blocks from the parade route. Or let the shuckers entertain you at Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, a French Quarter icon where the locals eat all year long.
If you can’t make it for Mardi Gras, you can still experience the thrill anytime on the CITY of NEW ORLEANS riverboat Mardi Gras Jazz Brunch or at Mardi Gras World, an interactive tour taking you behind the scenes to see what it takes to bring the annual Mardi Gras season to life. |