Mardi Gras 2013

New Orleans and Lafayette Mardi Gras 2013

A few highlights in photo form

Over the years Mardi Gras has become an increasingly famous celebration for all.  Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, has become famous for its annual Mardi Gras.  Mardi Gras is a festive celebration of partying, beads, floats, and more.  If you wish to read more on Mardi Gras, please take a moment to read my article All about Mardi Gras or Mardi Gras King Cake, both give a more in-depth look at Louisiana Mardi Gras.

Endymion Parade in New Orleans

It is quite common for people to spend money on dresses and/or outfits for Mardi Gras.  Particularly the royalty of the Krewe.  Some people will spend thousands just to ride in a parade by the time you include the cost of beads, clothes, and other miscellaneous fees.  That doesn’t include the amount of money that they spend to be a part of a Mardi Gras Krewe.

Notice how elaborate and colorful the dresses can be.  Much like Carnival in Rio, the things that participants wear can be quite intricate.  I noticed that the girls had a pole behind them for support and one in front to hold themselves up if they got tired.  Must be heavy.

People also spend a fair amount of money decorating parade floats.  Floats generally have a theme, and the design of the float mimics that theme.

Green, purple, and gold are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras.  Most formal aspects of Mardi Gras are done in these colors, although beads come in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

Comedy and tragedy are two of the oldest symbols connected to Mardi Gras.  The masks are symbolic of Louisiana Mardi Gras.

Many bands from Louisiana and surrounding states are asked to participate in the parade event.  They add some rhythm to the parades and usually have some pre-coordinated dances planned.

A look at Mardi Gras in Lafayette

A unique experience

This year, I got to experience Mardi Gras from the other side.  Typically I may attend the parades annually, but I have never ridden in a parade until this year.  Although, I didn’t get to be on a float, I did get to drive the parade route in a car.  I got this opportunity because a family friend needed a driver for the parade. He was to sit on the back of the car and throw beads while I drove.  It was a cool experience.  We started off with the King’s breakfast the morning of the parade.

Breakfast fit for a king! The breakfast was amazing, it included biscuits, eggs, grits, boudin, sausages, a shrimp dish, fruits, and even king cake!

Before the parade begins the floats line up and prepare.  People ready their beads by taking them from the bags and hanging them up.  (Don’t worry, people pick up the trash right after the parade finishes.  In a few hours, it is clean.)  Once the floats are lined up and ready the parade begins its several mile journey.

I was in the front of the parade in one of these cars.  Typically the parade mar shall, system president, university president, mayor and others ride in their own vehicles in the front of the parade.  Then, the king is on the first float.

The parade route is lined by barricades to keep the people safe. It is mainly for children who could run after a bead and get hit by a car or float.

Parades move very slow, my foot was on the brake for most of the time.  We even stopped a few times.

That concludes Mardi Gras 2013 for me.  Peace

 

What do you think?

Have you been to Mardi Gras or Carnival before?  If so, what did you think of it?

 

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