16. “Laissez les bon temps rouler” translates to “let the good times roll” in Cajun French.
17. The first documented New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place in 1838.
18. “If I Cease to Love” serves as the official anthem of Mardi Gras.
19. The Krewe of Rex selected the designated Mardi Gras anthem song.
20. Approximately 25 million pounds of plastic beads are thrown during New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations each year.
21. An average of 1.4 million revelers journey to New Orleans annually for Mardi Gras.
22. It is a legal requirement for all individuals on a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade float to wear a mask.
23. Wearing Mardi Gras masks is encouraged as a way for revelers to fully embrace the festivities.
24. In 2018, The Corps de Napoleon was fined $100 for having 23 unmasked riders on a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans.
25. Masks must be removed by 6 p.m. on Mardi Gras as per the law.
26. Each New Orleans parade is coordinated by groups known as krewes.
27. Every krewe’s ball introduces its own king, queen, and court annually.
28. Different neighborhoods in New Orleans host various Mardi Gras parades each year.
29. Some New Orleans krewes invest up to $200,000 yearly on their parade floats.
30. New Orleans parade krewes are commonly named after Greek or Roman mythological figures.
The oldest African American krewe in New Orleans is the Krewe of Zulu, which began celebrating in Mardi Gras parades in 1909. One of the most coveted Mardi Gras trinkets from New Orleans celebrations is the Golden Coconut, traditionally tossed out during the Zulu parade. Throughout history, New Orleans Mardi Gras parades have faced cancellation only 13 times, typically due to conflicts such as wars. The two most recent cancellations were in 1945 during World War II and in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Following the cancellation of the 2021 New Orleans Mardi Gras parades, krewes adapted by decorating houses in lieu of their usual elaborate floats. The Krewe of Red Beans notably raised $300,000 to support frontline workers and artists affected by the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The term “Carnival” originates from the Latin phrase “carne vale,” meaning “farewell meat,” signifying the period of Lent when sacrifices were traditionally made. Mobile, Alabama, hosted the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States in 1703. Interestingly, the tradition of throwing Mardi Gras beads was popularized by a man dressed as Santa Claus during a parade in the 1880s.
New Orleans boasts several all-female Mardi Gras Krewes, with the very first all-female Mardi Gras parade organized by the Krewe of Venus in 1941. In 2013, the Super Bowl in New Orleans necessitated a change in the Mardi Gras parade’s location to avoid conflicts with the major sporting event. Additionally, the Krewe of Chewbacchus adds a unique touch to the New Orleans Mardi Gras parades with its Star Wars theme.
The Monday preceding Mardi Gras is referred to as Lundi Gras, and coins and Mardi Gras beads are sometimes known as “doubloons.” In other English-speaking countries such as England, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, Fat Tuesday is called “Shrove Tuesday,” with pancakes being a popular meal for the occasion. The tradition of bead-throwing at Mardi Gras festivities dates back to the 1880s, and in the past, beads were crafted from glass.
To receive beads during the celebrations, it is customary to yell “Throw me something, mister!” The King of Carnival is crowned by the mayor of New Orleans each year and bestowed with a key to the city. Mardi Gras was officially recognized as a holiday by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and was declared a state holiday in Louisiana in 1875, with Alabama and Florida also observing state holidays for Mardi Gras.
The LeMoyne Brothers are credited with introducing Mardi Gras celebrations to the United States in 1699. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras krewes host elaborate balls in addition to
