Your First Mardi Gras Celebration? Then Make Sure You Read This

Taking precautions always makes sense whenever you plan to attend a parade or other public street fair and Mardi Gras is no exception.

People from all over the world converge on the city of New Orleans throughout the Carnival season, but the last few days counting down to Fat Tuesday are particularly crowded. 

If this is your first time taking part in the Big Easy's massive party or even if you're a Mardi Gras veteran, here are a few things to keep in mind. These 5 tips will help you enjoy the festivities even more:


1. Get an early start
Plan to arrive at parade routes near the beginning of where the krewes will be starting out. When I say early, I mean at least 3 hours. Crowds will swell up quickly and you want to make sure you'll be able to see the floats and be close enough to catch the throws.

2. Dress the part
When I say pay attention to what you're wearing I don't mean just your costume. Check the weather prior to leaving since it can vary this time of year. Plan on layering your clothing; it can be warm, cold, rainy or sunny. 

3. Have a game plan for meals
While you're on the parade route it'll be difficult to get food since restaurants will be incredibly crowded. You may be able to find vendors that have snacks, but don't count on it. Pack your own lunch and try to keep your bag as light as possible, it will be a very long day. Besides you'll need room for the beads and throws you're going to catch!

4. Forget about driving
Don't be concerned about trying to drive anywhere during the Mardi gras weekend. The entire 
French Quarter is closed off for vehicle traffic unless you're driving a float or your car is in the parade with a krewe. Cabs will be difficult to find as well so plan a walking path from your hotel to the parade route.


5. French Quarter is NOT for kids during Mardi Gras
Stay on the parade route areas in Mid-City, Uptown, Central Business District and other areas of the city if you're coming to enjoy Mardi Gras with children. The out of control, risque behavior that gets all the media attention happens in the French Quarter, particularly on Bourbon Street. There are no parades in that area and that's the main reason you came! Most of the Mardi Gras celebrations are family friendly, so no worries if you keep to where the floats travel. 


Hope this helps, if you have any questions or want to add tips from your own Mardi Gras experiences feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading.

*** Want more travel tips? Click here for my post on catching beads and click here for the one on solo travel during Mardi Gras. And most of all, have fun! Yeaaah!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Parade Schedules For 2013

Hey Folks! Today is the the Twelfth Night, also know as the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day! That means this is the start of the Carnival Season for 2013! YEAHHH!!

Mardi Gras Day will be here before you know it! This post will include links to some sites that provide schedules, updates and travel information as well as details on the Mardi Gras parades throughout the Carnival season for 2013.

This year the parades have been bumped back a week due to the Super Bowl being hosted in New Orleans. If you think Mardi Gras is a crazy time, just imagine the party action that will be going on if the Saints win!

It all starts in the Uptown section of New Orleans today. The Krewe of the Phunny Phorty Phellows will start parading to get the Carnival celebrations started.

The Mardi Gras krewes and marching clubs are scheduled to parade throughout the city. They come through Uptown, which usually means through St. Charles Avenue, as well as Canal Street and streets adjacent to the French Quarter. Soooooo start getting ready for some awesome floats, costumes, and of course, some amazing music!

This site has some great pics as well as details on area tours and news: http://www.mardigrasparadeschedule.com/

Here's another site for schedules: http://www.nola.com/mardigras/parades/ 

Hope you enjoyed this post, thanks for visiting. Feel free to leave comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Tips For Going Solo For Mardi Gras

So far I've done Mardi Gras twice, the first time I went alone. That's not exactly as crazy as it sounds, you just need to make sure to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense the way you would travelling in any major city. The following information is from my experiences and thought it would be good to share, whether you're travelling with companions or going it alone.

*** Here are 3 tips for going solo for Mardi Gras:



1. Don't carry around more than you need
That means no large purses or backpacks, nothing bigger than what you really need since you'll be spending quite a bit of time in the middle of huge crowds. Phone/camera, identification, cash, and a credit card. Some vendors may be on the street and you might need cash to purchase something unique like a wild shirt or mask.

Be aware when stuffing money in your pockets or purse. I found a $100 bill neatly folded on Canal Street one night while making my way back to my hotel room. Needless to say I was a happy camper, but I'm sure the previous owner wasn't!

2. Be careful what you drink
Along the French Quarter, on and near Bourbon Street, are several daquiri shops with slushy drink machines featuring several flavors. These drinks look and taste good, but are also really strong. I've never tried the one labeled "Anti-Freeze", I stick to my usual Hurricane, which is a traditional New Orleans concoction.

Even if you have a good alcohol tolerance these drinks are pretty serious...so sip slowly! I still don't know how they keep the booze from dissolving through the styrofoam cup, lol! Enjoy with caution!

3. Read my post on How To Catch Mardi Gras Beads Without Losing Your Shirt
If you're new to Mardi Gras and want to know some of the best ways to catch beads during the parades, this is a must-read! Click here to check it out!

Thanks for visiting, feel free to leave comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras FAQ, Some Common Questions And Answers

The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans posted a featured story with Mardi Gras question and answers on their blog. It covers lots of basic information on Mardi Gras traditions as well as some travel tips. It's dated 2008, but it's still relevant today. From what the weather usually is during that time of year in New Orleans to a reader's concern about public nudity, there are sure to be some details that'll update your Mardi Gras knowledge.

Click here to start reading.

If you have any comments or questions you wish to share feel free to post below.

Thanks for visiting!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

The Backstreet Cultural Museum In New Orleans

There are so many cultural treasures in New Orleans and one of my favorites is the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Faubourg Treme. Faubourg is French for district or neighborhood outside of the city limits. The Backstreet Cultural Museum offers an extensive selection of Mardi Gras Indian suits as well as costumes worn by some of the original New Orleans brass bands and social aid and pleasure club members throughout the years.

Photographs, videos, collections and exhibits provide an inside look into the African American culture in New Orleans.

During my travels to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that year I was told about the museum by some hotel staff, so I decided to check it out. While I was there I was able to take pictures of some of the displays. Also I had the pleasure to be able to speak to the founder of the museum, Sylvestor Francis, who opened it's doors in 1999. Several years ago he was a member of the Gentlemen of Leisure Social Aid And Pleasure Club.

He originally started gathering collectibles from the Mardi Gras Indians, brass bands and social clubs. Because of his love of the African American Mardi Gras culture in Treme, he gave pictures to anyone who participated in parades that he photographed. He was rewarded for his generosity when people who he gave photographs to started giving him costumes, suits and keepsakes.

The picture below is of Sylvestor Francis in the museum.

He took time to discuss the museum displays and their history. Also he had me watch a documentary called "All In A Mardi Gras Day" which I purchased a copy of. It's a great reference for anyone interested in the African American Mardi Gras culture in New Orleans. It covers the Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Krewe, Skull and Bone Gang and lots more.

Click here to view The Backstreet Cultural Museum website. You'll find information on exhibitions, community programs and hours of operation.

Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did sharing it. Feel free to leave comments below.

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Day Is Different Every Year

Make sure before you book your travel for Mardi Gras that you have the correct date. Mardi Gras Day always falls right before Ash Wednesday, so the date changes each year along with the Easter holiday. Click here to view the New Orleans Official Tourism Site that shows the exact dates of Mardi Gras Day for the next several years through to 2027.

Mardi Gras 2013 will fall on Tuesday, February, 12, so start getting ready! Remember to always arrive a few days in advance since Fat Tuesday is the last day of the celebration!

 

Feel free to leave comments, thanks for reading.

 

 

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl