Mardi Gras is February 12th this year, and with it comes music,
parades, krewes, beads, and celebration! You can find a mask,
create a costume, head to New Orleans, or participate in
colorful local events. It’s a big celebration, but what is it
exactly and how did the whole thing get started? “Fat Tuesday”
marks the last day of the Carnival season, a period of rich
feasting and frivolity which follows Epiphany and is the day
before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins. It’s a floating holiday
and its date varies slightly because it must fall 47 days before
Easter Sunday. In 1856, a group of businessmen founded New
Orleans’ first and oldest krewe, the Mistick Krewe of Comus and
in 1857, held its first parade. Comus is the oldest continuously
active Mardi Gras Organization and is responsible for starting a
number of traditions that continue today including the use of
floats in parades. The traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple,
gold, and green have their roots in political and religious
arenas. In 1872 the Rex Orga