Mardi Gras goes back to an ancient Roman custom of merrymaking before a period of fast.
French colonists introduced Mardi Gras into America in the early 1700's. Mardi Gras, which means "Fat Tuesday" in French, takes place at the end of a long carnival season that begins on January 6, or Twelfth Night. This first year of the new millenium, 2001, Mardi Gras occurs on February 27. This year's theme shown on this print by David Johnson, is "Release the Spirit".
This festive carnival became popular in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it attracts tourists from around the world. Parades begin the week before Mardi Gras. Societies called krewes organize and pay for the parades and other festivities. Masked Krewe members ride on the floats from which they throw necklaces, toys, and doubloons to the onlookers. These trinkets are appropriately called "throws".
There are also costume balls thrown by the krewes, for which invitations are much sought after. The masks worn are ornate confections of feathers and sequins, the mask on the left was purchased at one of the many little New Orleans shops where you can buy Mardi Gras memorabilia. Small porcelain masks such as the ones on the right make pretty wall decorations.
Costumes may be anything from very elaborate to very skimpy. (Some costumes consisted mostly of body paint - which you'll not see on this page!) Fortunately for those who don't attend any costume balls, many Mardi Gras celebrators parade their costumes down Bourbon Street for all to enjoy. Here's a few pictures of costumes displayed with pride by the wearers.
The Mardi Gras parades are visual gourmet feasts. Riders on the colorfully decorated floats wear beautiful costumes and masks, and the nighttime parades are enhanced with light displays. Marching bands are interspersed througout the floats to provide appropriate music. Each parade has a theme, the theme for the year 2001 Zulu parade in the Flash movie below is "Zulu 2001, Happiness Is".
Click the button to see and hear a video clip of the parade.