Mardi Gras is a traditional
holiday celebrated in many of the southern states of the USA. The most
 famous celebration takes place in New Orleans,
Louisiana. The people there enjoy this celebration by going to parades
where they catch "beads, doubloons, cups, and trinkets" that are all
thrown from floats.
They have masquerade balls and dress up in costumes for these events.
King Cakes are eaten during this holiday. Mardi Gras is known as the
"biggest free show on earth."
Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage in 1699.
Early explorers celebrated this French Holiday on the banks of the
Mississippi River. Throughout the years, Orleanians have added to the
celebration by establishing krewes (organizations) which host parades and
balls. Carnival quickly became an exciting holiday for both children and
adults.
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that day
of the week. The date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on
the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of
Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.
The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These
colors where chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. He chose these
colors to stand for the following:
Purple represents justice
green stands for faith
gold stands
for power
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