All right. Time for a quick primer about Mardi Gras. What is Mardi Gras? Well, Mardi Gras is not the drunken mess on Bourbon street with the beads and the flashing; in fact, believe it or not, for most local folks Mardi Gras season is a time to get together with family and friends out in the neighborhoods where the parades roll. Yes that's right- it is very much a family activity with people gathering together year after year at the same spot on the parade route to eat and drink and watch the parades roll by in hopes of catching some extra special "throws" as they also catch up with each other on the events of the past year. Ok so Mardi Gras can be a family holiday. Mardi Gras is also about the parades -which not only roll in New Orleans proper but in the surrounding towns and suburbs. Mardi Gras is also all about the throws- beads and more beads of all different sizes lengths and shapes; trinkets, dubloons, "plush" toys, coconuts, shoes, plastic cups, sunglasses- you name it, and one of the many krewes probably throws it. Many krewes have a signature throw- some of the most famous: Zulu coconuts (which are handed to bystanders vs thrown for obvious reasons), the famous Rex metallic dubloon, the Krewe of Muses decorated shoes and so on and so forth. As the floats roll by its tradition to yell "Throw me something mister" and hope that you catch a rider's eye who will single you out in the crowd and hopefully throw you that special something. Mardi Gras is the Mardi Gras Indians who work on their "pretty suits" all year and then make appearances on Mardi Gras morning throughout the neighborhods and side streets of the city. Mardi Gras is history and tradition. There are lots of ways to "do" Mardi Gras- this Frommer's article is a pretty good one in terms of providing different ways- nice, naughty or nasty- to spend that special day. And of course, Mardi Gras is king cake which at this point is available in an ever increasing number of different shapes, colors, and flavors that spark continuous debates about which is the best over the 3 week carnival season. King Cake season officially starts on Twelfth Night and lasts thru Mardi Gras Day altho over the past few years- much to the chagrin of traditionalists- they have started to appear and/or become available at other holidays or special occurences (think Saints Super Bowl a couple years ago) as well. Finally, let's not forget Mr. Mardi Gras- Arthur Hardy- who is the official historian on all things Mardi Gras. He publishes an annual "Mardi Gras Guide" which is widely available during Mardi Gras in and around the city and which quickly become collectibles. Go here for more info.....21 days and counting til Krewe Of Mid City Parade- Hail Mid City!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Mardi Gras 101
All right. Time for a quick primer about Mardi Gras. What is Mardi Gras? Well, Mardi Gras is not the drunken mess on Bourbon street with the beads and the flashing; in fact, believe it or not, for most local folks Mardi Gras season is a time to get together with family and friends out in the neighborhoods where the parades roll. Yes that's right- it is very much a family activity with people gathering together year after year at the same spot on the parade route to eat and drink and watch the parades roll by in hopes of catching some extra special "throws" as they also catch up with each other on the events of the past year. Ok so Mardi Gras can be a family holiday. Mardi Gras is also about the parades -which not only roll in New Orleans proper but in the surrounding towns and suburbs. Mardi Gras is also all about the throws- beads and more beads of all different sizes lengths and shapes; trinkets, dubloons, "plush" toys, coconuts, shoes, plastic cups, sunglasses- you name it, and one of the many krewes probably throws it. Many krewes have a signature throw- some of the most famous: Zulu coconuts (which are handed to bystanders vs thrown for obvious reasons), the famous Rex metallic dubloon, the Krewe of Muses decorated shoes and so on and so forth. As the floats roll by its tradition to yell "Throw me something mister" and hope that you catch a rider's eye who will single you out in the crowd and hopefully throw you that special something. Mardi Gras is the Mardi Gras Indians who work on their "pretty suits" all year and then make appearances on Mardi Gras morning throughout the neighborhods and side streets of the city. Mardi Gras is history and tradition. There are lots of ways to "do" Mardi Gras- this Frommer's article is a pretty good one in terms of providing different ways- nice, naughty or nasty- to spend that special day. And of course, Mardi Gras is king cake which at this point is available in an ever increasing number of different shapes, colors, and flavors that spark continuous debates about which is the best over the 3 week carnival season. King Cake season officially starts on Twelfth Night and lasts thru Mardi Gras Day altho over the past few years- much to the chagrin of traditionalists- they have started to appear and/or become available at other holidays or special occurences (think Saints Super Bowl a couple years ago) as well. Finally, let's not forget Mr. Mardi Gras- Arthur Hardy- who is the official historian on all things Mardi Gras. He publishes an annual "Mardi Gras Guide" which is widely available during Mardi Gras in and around the city and which quickly become collectibles. Go here for more info.....21 days and counting til Krewe Of Mid City Parade- Hail Mid City!
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