Why mardi gras is fun

Charles is a family area where you will see many families staking out their parade watching position, having picnics, playing ball, and having fun under the beautiful oak trees. You don't have to worry about the streetcars, as they stop running in this area during Mardi Gras. You may also want to consider taking your kids to the parades in the suburban areas like Metairie, which is only 10 minutes away from New Orleans.

Kids love it! Driving your own car and finding parking spots will be difficult. Red Cross volunteers, in partnership with New Orleans first responders, will be providing basic first aid in some of the most populated areas along the parade routes. They are trained in CPR and first aid and will assist the ill and injured at each of their stations positioned along the parade routes. First aid stations will be available on the following corners along St. Charles Avenue during many of our larger parades the last two weeks of Mardi Gras season:.

The Mardi Gras day routes are not published anywhere, but they happen in and around their inner city neighborhoods. Some sources say that you will see the Creole Wild West tribe at the corner of LaSalle and 2nd Streets sometime between 9 a.

Other tribes meet at the corner of Claiborne and Orleans following the Zulu parade. Joseph's Day. Their festivities begin at Noon in A. For the Indian Sunday parade route, visit our Super Sunday page. Also, the Tambourine and Fan organizations traditionally hold thier "Super Sunday" parade on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph's Day, with the event beginning at Bayou St. No specific details are available on these events at this time. The date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it's connected to Easter, which can fall on any Sunday between March 23 and April Mardi Gras day always takes place 47 days before Easter.

Most people at the parades will be standing or even jumping for throws—and in between parades, people are walking around and popping into local restaurants for a bite. However, we recommend Grandstands for people who may have trouble standing or walking for longer than an hour at a time. Not unless you are going to be a rider on a float. Colorful ladders with seats line St. Charles Avenue on parade days so that children can get a clear view.

Parade-goers use the ladders to hold their spot prior to the parade starting. Krewes choose a different theme for their parades each year , with some krewes keeping their themes secret until their parade is rolling. According to Arthur Hardy, a premier authority on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, items have been tossed off floats since at least In , Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets.

These medallions are represented by today's doubloons: aluminum and anodized in many different colors. Revelers go all-out in attempts to catch these, including dressing in colorful costumes, making posters and holding out butterfly nets and targets for float riders to throw to. There is a city ordinance in Orleans Parish that prohibits Mardi Gras from being commercialized. No corporate sponsorships are allowed on floats.

All expenses are paid by krewes and riders. Tree-lined St. Float riders are required by law to wear masks or face paint. To officially end Carnival celebrations, New Orleans police officers on foot and mounted on horseback move through the crowds on Bourbon Street at midnight on Mardi Gras Day.

The Bourbon Street Awards showcase hundreds of people in elaborate, colorful and flamboyant costumes competing for top honors on the corner of St. This flashy spectacle has defied imaginations for more than 50 years! Once the parades are over, krewes continue the party with Mardi Gras balls. While most are private and invitation-only by the hosting krewe, a few krewes have opened their indoor party extravaganzas to the public.

Harry Connick Jr. Make the most out of your Mardi Gras visit and experience all that the city has to offer, on or off the parade route!

Mardi Gras Fun Beyond the Parades. Previous Post. There's a History Behind the Colors. Each Color Has a Specific Meaning Adrienne Bresnahan Getty Images. Kathryn8 Getty Images.

There's an Anthem, of Course. Santa's Somehow Involved? The Beads Have Changed But You'll Certainly Recognize Them. Rusty Costanza Getty Images. Mario Tama Getty Images. Until Last Year. You Have to Use the Magic Words. Parade attendees request the trinkets by yelling the phrase "Throw me something mister! Everyone Wants This Trinket Bruce Yuanyue Bi Getty Images. And The Laws are Enforced. But There's Tradition Behind Them.

Krewe of Bacchus.