Time to Celebrate
It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, and the celebrations are underway. Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, but the festivities are all the same in Louisiana, and the name most widely used here is Fat Tuesday. The time period is before the fasting season of lent. Being though that it’s mostly known for its religious reasons, Mardi Gras, marks the beginning of Lent. Lent lasts for 40 days and it’s known as a preparation for Holy Week. The tradition has been dated to 325 A.D., even though there is no written scripture asserting this. Of course it’s been shown in other writings which is why it’s lead scholars to come up with that time. Again, it’s mostly known as a Christian celebration, but over the years many more have begun to partake in certain festivities.
Now a days there is much more to take away form Mardi Gras. As I mentioned before the festivities and individuals associated with the holiday have expanded. In New Orleans there is a big parade that marks the official start of Mardi Gras. Various people dressed in colorful attire and drenched in beads parade down the main streets of this city in Louisiana. It’s thought that the beads used during this celebration came from New Orleans around the 1830’s. It’s believed that during the late 1800’s, cheap necklaces made of glass beads were tossed into the crowds by the parade organizers. These beads were so popular that they just stuck to the celebrations.
The streets are crowded with party goers all through the night. Most of them enjoy the parade since it’s a great way to drink and party all night long. Residents and tourist attend the Zulu parade which begins first. Than right after they have the Rex parade, both of the parades end on Canal Street, a major street in the southern town. Than there is of course the traditional food that comes from the south during this holiday.
The south is already known for its unique eats but the most popular during Mardi Gras are: shrimp étouffée, jambalaya, red beans and rice, gumbo dip or stuffed catfish filet. Any of these dishes along with pancakes are all well known during the celebrations.
Depending on what type of celebrations you are a part of, Fat Tuesday has expanded over the years in the US. Many will travel the long distance to the south in order to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Many others of course celebrate it due to its religious meaning. There is great food, costumes, and much more associated with the holiday that it has drawn the attention of many more individuals.
