Have you ever seen extraordinary parades, with over-the-top masquerade costumes and lots of jazz? Well, chances are, those parades were for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a commonly celebrated holiday that originated in medieval Europe around the 17th century. Mardi Gras was created when Christianity made its way to Rome, religious leaders made an effort to incorporate pagan traditions with Christian traditions. This attempt at combining religions resulted in festivals filled with food, dancing, and drinking. Mardi Gras is French for “fat Tuesday” as it always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The holiday does not have an exact day every year but is always 47 days before Easter. Many people tend to indulge in feasts during these parades, as well.
Common Traditions
During Mardi Gras, those who celebrate wear purple, green, and gold. Large parade floats are prepared weeks before the carnivals and throws are collected. Throws are small items and trinkets that get thrown into the crowd from the parade floats. These small little items are usually colored beads and homemade crafts. Dishes like crawfish, beignets, gumbo, and king cake are also commonly enjoyed. King cakes are dough-shaped rings formed with colorful decorations on top. Most of the time these cakes include a single plastic baby inside. When the cake is sliced and enjoyed, whoever gets the slice with the tiny baby inside has luck for the rest of that year.
Where is it Celebrated?
Mardi Gras can be celebrated all over the world, but its biggest celebrations take place in the city of New Orleans. The neighborhood streets of Louisiana are packed full of red, green, and purple beads and confetti. As well as many people celebrating in extravagant costumes and masks. Although New Orleans hosts the largest celebrations, the first-ever Mardi Gras parade is recorded to be located in France. Other places like Brazil, Florida, and Australia also take part in Mardi Gras celebrations.
Local Celebrations
On Tuesday, February 13, the day of Mardi Gras, Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) held a Mardi Gras Parade. Students from the HBHS APA and band produced a parade, where they explored the entire school. Students were wearing masquerade costumes and decorated themselves with beads and feathers. Students not in the parade got the opportunity to dance and sing, resembling a parade in New Orleans.
Mrs. McClintock, a theater teacher at HBHS stated “I understand that the parade is a long-established tradition at HBHS, and I find traditions, holidays, and live music all very enjoyable. I enjoyed the APA Mardi Gras parade, and since I couldn’t make it to New Orleans this year, it’s the next best thing.”
Mardi Gras is all about a vibrant celebration of life. Communities come together to embrace one last burst of fun, before the peace of Lent. Breathtaking masks and an abundance of feasts and music all come together to create a fun-spirited festival bursting with rhythm. As Mardi Gras fades, and the quiet of upcoming holidays follow, let the essence of New Orleans’ soul remain. Until next year, Mardi Gras!
