Hey it's almost that time again folks. Mardi Gras Day will fall on Tuesday, February 28 for 2017.
Make sure you try to take in the parades and festivities the two weeks prior to Fat Tuesday, that's the highlight of the Carnival Season.
Also Mardi Gras Day is the last day for celebrating. Everyone's either passed out, asleep or in church the next day since that's Ash Wednesday!
Feel free to post comments below and let me know what you've like to see covered here. Thanks for visiting.
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
If the culmination of parades and celebrations wasn't enough on Mardi Gras Day, you'll also
have fun if you're in new Orleans the day before, which is Lundi Gras, or Fat Monday, as it's also called. For 2017 it will fall on February 27.
The tradition revolves around Rex, the King Of Carnival arriving in the city by boat. Lots
of river themed events take place as well. The Social Aid and Pleasure Club Zulu will be hosting their Zulu Lundi Gras Festival. It runs all day and is free to the public. Woldenberg Park near the river is the location and is scheduled to start at 10AM.
Another annual celebration is held at Riverwalk Marketplace. They host Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza with Rex coming in at 6PM. They'll also have fireworks on the Mississippi Rivera and entertainers.
Lundi Gras is the day before Mardi Gras, so make sure to check out the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the last day of the Carnival season.
Photo credit: Nola.com
Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for stopping by.
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Ever want to see where a lot of the action begins for the amazing Mardi Gras parades? It starts with the parade floats! Since 1984 Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World has offered tours of their warehouse where you can even watch some of the artists working.
Blaine Kern Studios has actually been creating the imaginative floats and props for New Orleans Mardi Gras parades since 1947. They also make them for Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Universal Studios in Florida, Toho Park in Japan as well as amusement parks and casinos worldwide.
The space is part museum and part art studio. Many of the the floats are stored here from the New Orleans celebrations and may be re-used and updated. Costumes and figures are also available to view. You're offered and up close and personal look at how they make all the magic happen.
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, LA 70114, you can visit their website at: http://www.mardigrasworld.com
Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting.
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Hey, Happy Mardi Gras 2016! Check out the live stream for the Mardi Gras parades and floats for the big day. This is it, starting with the Krewe of Zulu, who's celebrating 100 years of incorporation with new floats, through the Krewe of Crescent City in New Orleans.
New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations
Check it out, have fun!
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
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
