New Orleans is home to one of the greatest carnivals in the world—the Mardi Gras, and if you also want to attend the “Greatest Free Show On Earth”, then head to Louisiana for America’s most famous festival. Also known as the “International Show Your Boobies” and “The Best Free Party On Earth”, the Mardi Gras, surprisingly has its roots in religion.
The term Mardi Gras, when translated, stands for Fat Tuesday, the day before the season of fasting, Lent begins. While festivities for Mardi Gras start from the twelfth night or the 6th of January, the crescendo starts building up only during the last weeks of February before culminating in the single day climax which is commonly known as Mardi Gras around the 24th of February.
The origin of the New Orleans Mardi Gras is the city’s French Quarter. However, it is nowadays celebrated throughout most of the city, with almost 50 colorful parades complete with floats, dancing, costumes and music going through major sections of New Orleans. With parties, balls, concerts, live music and dancing ruling the roost during the last two weeks of February, the Mardi Gras today attracts more than 4 million people every year.
Apart from the colorful floats, dancing and music, what attracts most people to the parades are the gifts tossed into the crowds by those on the floats. These much sought after throws range from beads, coins and doubloons to small toys and decorative items. In order to participate in a parade, people have to members of krewes or carnival clubs.
While krewe members get pride of place on floats, the general public can also have great fun with gifts being freely thrown among one and all. Needless to say, the festival is fuelled by alcohol, which adds to all the revelry and camaraderie.
For those who really want to witness the wild side of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter is the place to begin. This is where the most uninhibited behavior, reckless drinking and unrestrained flashing take place. Another place to check out for the “wild” factor is Bourbon Street and the Faubourg Marigny. Even though nudity is not allowed in New Orleans, law enforcement in these areas is minimal when it comes to body shows.
However, if you are traveling with kids, then these are the places that you should best avoid. As it is, most of the parades nowadays do not go through these congested areas but rather take the wider routes passing through St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street, in the Uptown and Mid-City districts. Flashing in the floats or during the parade in these areas is also bound to initiate prompt action on part of the ever present law enforcement personnel.
Since the whole city, including colleges, clubs and schools participate in the Mardi Gras parades, you can plan a family trip to New Orleans for the festival provided you restrict your excursions to areas outside the bohemian districts.
Related posts:
Mon, Sep 28, 2009
North America