KIDPROJ MCC: Shrove Tuesday // Mardi Gras

A Page From the KIDPROJ Multi-Cultural Calendar
Shrove Tuesday // Mardi Gras - USA
by Ashley Chandonia

Floating Date in February

Annual Date: 94/02/15 : 95/02/28 : 96/02/20 : 97/02/11 : 98/02/24

Mardi Gras - Louisiana

Mardi Gras is Louisiana's most famous festival. The phrase "Mardi Gras" means Fat Tuesday in French. It refers to the final day of merry-making before Ash Wednesday dawns and lent begins. This whole celebration lasts for two weeks. All through the two weeks are parades which consist of marching bands and colorful floats. These parades are held every night until Fat Tuesday itself. Then the parade is held in the daytime-usually the morning. Spectators dress up in unique costumes also. Each float usually throws out some sort of goody. Usually the goodies are beads, Mardi Gras coins, plastic cups, and sometimes even little stuffed animals. There are also many wonderful balls and parties to attend.

This whole deal with Mardi Gras began as an event to make up for lent. For two weeks about 40 days before lent was to begin many parties and elegant balls were held. They used to be by invitation only but now most parties are open to everybody. Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold. Purple stands for justice, green stands for faith, and gold stands for power. Organizations called krewes were also formed to add a little kick to the fun. Different floats are made by different krewes.

ASHLEY CHANDONIA--Tallahassee, Florida
<ashley08@freenet.scri.fsu.edu>

Other Entries For This:
[Holiday] [Country] [Author] [Month]