What is Mardi Gras?

Answer 1

Everyone here has pretty much a correct answer. Historically, Mardi Gras gets its roots in the early French Settlement days, where a wild party was had by New Orleans residents--with music, food, dancing....and yes, drink---which soon followed sinful debauchery. Lazzez Lez Bon Temps Roulier (Let The Good Times Roll). And the French had a heart for fun and party!!

To appease the local Catholic empowered, it was agreed that after what is now called "Fat Tuesday", a religiously devout solemn period of quiet service to God followed...hence Ash Wednesday--and the subsequent Lentin Season--observed worldwide by devout Catholics.

Mardi Gras today is a short period of colorful parades, featuring "floats", where maskers throw all sorts of cool beads, cups and stuff. New Orleans also shines its best as Seafood Capital of the World--with some delicious dishes only found there. Boubon Street flows with crowds seeking drunken fun, seafood and New Orleans' style Jazz---and they get it (and then some, if you're lucky).

But the balance between making Mardi Gras footloosely wild and 'Politically Correct' tame as a family event is ever there--and forever will be there.

Answer 2

Mardi Gras French for Fat Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is also called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. It is the final day of Carnival. It is a celebration that is held just before the beginning of the Christian liturgical season of Lent. The date can vary from February 3 to March 9 in non-leap years or February 4 to March 9 in leap years. Like Lent, the date is dependent on that of Easter. Mardi Gras celebrations include New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, Salvador,Bahia, and Mazatlán. Many other places have important Mardi Gras celebrations as well. The carnival is an important celebration in most of Europe, and in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Panama's carnivals are gaining notoriety each year, with tourists from the U.S., Latin American and European countries increasing year after year. The celebration includes, parties, parades, floats, beads thrown out for good luck to attendees, and people celebrating by drinking.

Answer 3

A huge street party with many parades of decorated floates, people dress up, drink and have a good time. People in the floates throw out all kind of goodies from beads to roses. Everyone is drunk and having fun. Good times! Here is a link to some photos of one of the parades we have here in Baton Rouge
http://www.spanishtownmardigras.com/photos/albums.php

Answer 4

ITS A EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE THREE WISE MEN,,,,,,,,BUT MOSTLY TODAY ITS A NEW ORLEANS TRADITION TO GET DRUNK AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLE NEW ORLEANS