Mardi Gras in the United States
mardi gras united state celebrated number city region country place trace mardi gras celebration french spanish catholic colonial influence settlement history earliest carnival celebration north america said occurred place west bank mississippi river mile km downriver new orleans today mardi gras celebrated march honor holiday pierre le moyne diberville yearold french canadian named spot point du mardi gras french mardi gras point near fort jackson earliest organized carnival celebration occurred mobile capitol french louisiana known fort louis de la mobile first known carnival secret society masque de la mobile six mobile native established first secret society krewe new orleans mistick krewe comus former french spanish colony pensacola biloxi settlement along gulf coast followed suit incorporating carnival annual celebration today developed either separate tradition variation one another addition modern activity generally vary city city across u mardi gras arrived north america sedate french catholic tradition le moyne brother pierre le moyne diberville jeanbaptiste le moyne de bienville late th century king louis xiv sent pair defend france claim territory louisiane included u state alabama mississippi louisiana expedition led iberville entered mouth mississippi river evening march lundi gras yet knowing river explored claimed france renérobert cavelier sieur de la salle party proceeded upstream place west bank mile km downriver new orleans today small tributary emptied great river made camp plaquemines parish louisiana march mardi gras day honor holiday iberville named spot point du mardi gras french mardi gras point called small tributary bayou mardi gras bienville went found mobile alabama first capital french louisiana french settler city began celebrate mardi gras tradition biloxi made capital louisiana french settler mardi gras custom celebrated fanfare given new status capital french louisiana moved new orleans founded growth new orleans city creolization different culture varied celebration mardi gras became event strongly associated city recent time several u city without french catholic heritage instituted celebration mardi gras sometimes emerged grassroots movement help accompany single people celebrate something late winter often dominated commercialized couplecentric valentine day result coopted single people late winter holiday mardi gras official state holiday mobile baldwin county county state grant employee day personal leave lieu mardi gras mobile founded bienville known oldest organized mardi gras celebration united state beginning also host first formally organized mardi gras parade united state mobile mardi gras celebration revolve around mystic society private social organization fundamental part social business fabric city mystic society organization similar krewes new orleans present parade masked ball activity enjoyment member guest public mystic society membership secret mystic society build colorful carnival float parade throughout downtown mobile carnival season masked society member tossing small gift known throw parade spectator throw first introduced mobile cowbellion de rakin society parade initially consisted sugar plumb kiss orange currently throw may trinket candy cooky peanut womens panty artificial rose stuffed animal doubloon cup hat cooler frisbee medallion necklace bead necklace every variety iconic moon pie mobile mystic society give formal masquerade ball known bal masqués almost always invitation oriented adult attendance ball requires strict dress code costume de rigueur followed formal dress code usually involves fulllength evening gown woman white tie tail male invited guest masked costume society member ball feature dramatic entertainment music dancing food drink ball usually based upon theme carried scenery decoration costume tableau vivant mobile first celebrated carnival french settler began festivity old mobile site mobile first carnival society organized nicholas langlois founded société de saint louis renamed boeuf gras society fatted ox society – mobile cowbellion de rakin society first formally organized masked mystic society united state celebrate parade cowbellions got start michael krafft cotton factor pennsylvania began parade participant carrying rake hoe cowbell cowbellions introduced horsedrawn float parade parade entitled heathen god goddess striker independent society formed oldest surviving mystic society krewe united state six businessmen formerly mobile gathered club room new orleans french quarter organize secret society observe mardi gras formal parade founded new orleans first oldest krewe mistick krewe comus carnival celebration mobile cancelled american civil war joe cain revived mardi gras parade portraying fictional chickasaw chief named slacabamorinico parading costume city street fat tuesday celebrated day front union army occupation troop order myth mobile oldest mystic society continues parade founded held first parade mardi gras night infant mystic also began parade mardi gras night later moved parade lundi gras mobile carnival association formed coordinate event mardi gras year also occasion first royal court crowned first king carnival emperor felix comic cowboy wragg swamp established along mission satire free expression continental mystic crew mystic society founded mobile first jewish mystic society order dove mystic society founded held first mardi gras ball first africanamerican mystic society mobile infant mystic second oldest society continues parade introduced first electric float mobile colored carnival association founded first parade later renamed mobile area mardi gras association order osiris oldest surviving gay lesbian mystic society mobile held first ball st mobile international carnival ball held every known mobile mystic society attendance mobile celebrated tricentennial parade representing every known mystic society documentary film order myth released focus mardi gras celebration race class influence many aspect mardi gras city including mystic society according statistic alabama tourism department mobile mardi gras mostattended annual event state event attracted people one million demopolis another alabama city french root held annual mardi gras masquerade ball since ball hosted marengo county historical society held one city historic mansion lyon hall city founded named group french expatriate mix exiled former bonapartists french migrant settled united state following overthrow colonial government saintdomingue haiti name mean people city city people first settled demopolis one oldest continuous settlement state outside coastal alabama eureka gras celebration mardi gras ozark mountain resort town eureka spring arkansas begun one car parade conducted new orleanian daniel elli moved eureka spring aftermath hurricane katrina run socalled krewe krazo ozark spelled reverse grown monthlong celebration parade running hour multiple ball event corporatesponsored party gaslamp quarter downtown san diego addition san diego brazil carnival ball part san diego carnival mardi gras season mardi gras celebration san luis obispo controversial recent year leader central california city called end public celebration city become destination student across state celebration gotten control pensacola florida host mardi gras celebration pensacola celebration also use moon pie combination bead coin candy krewerelated trade pensacola festivity krewes sponsor often lighthearted familyoriented venue name krewes pun name historic krewes new orleans mobile annual pensacola celebration among oldest united state dating back festivity typically took place eponymous tuesday preceding week first organized secular celebration carnival pensacola group men including b f yniestra g f c brent k huckley dr j c whiting established knight priscus association name priscus came tarquinius priscus fifth king rome first roman king wear purple robe golden crown head established circus place game could held also increased number roman knight built stone wall around city majesty carnival like prototype old rome know little folly relished best men event became unorganized fallen entirely hand individual merrymaker frolickers disported wild merriment dictated reorganized clerk union formed pensacola carnival association person committee led chairman j johnson priscus remained title festival ceremonial king alexander clement blount ii named first king priscus new group pensacola first lady mystic society pompadour mystic society pompadour held first annual mystic ball armory hall february crowning dudley thornton king reveller ariola pensacola first male mystic society organized held first tableau ball k c hall january crowning miss cornelia bass queen ariola female krewe merry marker held first ball exception pompadour founding carnival season organization remain active pensacola celebration day krewe lafitte founded parading organization participating community wide annual fiesta five flag celebration however parade hold ball fiesta mardi gras season public celebration currently organized pensacola mardi gras incwith krewes parading andor holding ball weekend prior fat tuesday parade friday night krewe lafitte saturday afternoon grand paradeand krewe wreck parade pensacola beach sunday parade held mardi gras many small krewes parade individual float foot grand krewe wreck parade older krewes holding carnival ball parade include rebellaires pierrettes mystic maid sand marionette parading krewes include mystic mafia krewe african king krewe african queen krewe andres de pez krewe aphrodite krewe avant garde krewe brewe krewe hip hugger krewe jester mayoki indian krewe nauga krewe seville krewe silver slipper krewe warrior mystic krewe nereid krewe du yayas order odin krewe gatsby girl hollywood florida host mardi gras festivity downtown area fat tuesday celebration hollywood beach broadwalk live entertainment creole food fiesta tropicale emerged hollywood tradition started fiesta nation celebration different culture featuring performance costumed child hollywood central school core group hollywood resident reestablished mardi gras celebration fiesta tropicale hollywood inc krewes built float second lined downtown business district orlando universal studio florida theme park host annual mardi gras celebration event feature concert top musical act mardi gras parade event take place multiple weekend february april park included regular daily admission park new orleans mardi gras celebration draw hundred thousand tourist city mingle local famed party parade many halfmillion spectator estimated official line route major parade first mardi gras festivity louisiana held march day group french explorer set camp west bank mississippi river mile downriver new orleans group leader pierre baptiste le moyne sieur diberville dubbed spot la pointe du mardi gras three hundred year later rex organization put marker site account note custom holding carnival ball established date time bienville governor mardi gras masque procession street city although time prohibited law celebration quickly resumed whenever restriction lifted enforcement lax bernard de marigny wealthy french creole plantation owner raised money fund official mardi gras celebration parade followed tableau ball building marignys festivity group angloamericans mobile mystic society founded mistick krewe comus comus longer parading still host oldest continuous tableau ball originated number tradition continue today use float parade considered first carnival krewe modern sense term next twelfth night reveler formed celebrate epiphany official start carnival season state louisiana declared mardi gras legal holiday economic political weather condition sometimes led cancellation major parade especially american civil war world war world war ii carnival always observed city way last large parade went narrow street city old french quarter neighborhood larger float crowd safety concern led city government prohibit big parade quarter new orleans city council passed ordinance required social organization including mardi gras krewes certify publicly discriminate basis race religion gender sexual orientation obtain parade permit public license ordinance required private social group abandon traditional code secrecy identify member city human relation commission protest th century krewes comus momus stopped parading proteus parade carnival season returned parade schedule two federal court later declared ordinance unconstitutional infringement first amendment right free association unwarranted intrusion privacy group subject ordinance supreme court refused hear city appeal decision today many krewes operate business structure – membership open anyone pay due place parade float effect hurricane katrina new orleans late caused people question future city mardi gras celebration city government essentially bankrupt storm pushed massively scaled back celebration limit strain city service however many krewes insisted wanted would ready parade negotiation krewe leader city official resulted compromise schedule scaled back less severely originally suggested new orleans carnival schedule included krewe du vieux traditional route marigny french quarter february several parade saturday th sunday th followed six day parade starting thursday night rd mardi gras day th krewe du vieux two westbank parade went algiers new orleans parade restricted saint charles avenue uptown canal street route section city escaped significant flooding restriction placed amount time parade could street late could go louisiana state trooper national guard assisted crowd control first time since many float partially submerged floodwaters week krewes repaired removed trace effect others incorporated flood line damage design float local worked float rode significantly impacted storm many lost possession enthusiasm carnival even intense usual celebrated affirmation life theme many costume float barbed satire usual commentary trial tribulation living devastated city reference mres katrina refrigerator fema trailer along much mocking federal emergency management agency fema local national politician impossible estimate synonymous mardi gras new orleans become popular culture ferde grofe wrote orchestral cycle called mississippi suite last movement featuring musical depiction mardi gras french quarter since influence fat tuesday american culture increased evidenced wealth song film television show notorious festival alexandria located heart central louisiana cenla enjoys blend mardi gras tradition keeping area reputation cultural crossroad state addition mardi gras ball party function host several parade including alexandria mardi gras association amga krewe parade traditionally sunday mardi gras childrens parade krewe provine parade usually held mardi gras day college cheerleader classic car parade made debut warm reception area parade known mix traditional mardi gras fun revelry familyfriendly environment attract people far away texas mississippi baton rouge host eight parade including spanish town parade krewe southdowns krewe mutt dog parade krewe mystique parade krewe orion krewe artemis krewe jupiter krewe poseidonnew offer traditional new orleansstyle parade parade take place downtown exception annual southdowns parade run southdowns subdivision south downtown houma host significant mardi gras celebration ten parade two roll mardi gras day others two weekend preceding big day king houmas rule fat tuesday law enforcement official estimated people lined route parade mardi gras celebrated annually houma since krewe hercules krewe aquarius krewe hyacinthians krewe titan krewe aphrodite krewe mardi gras krewe terreanians krewe cleopatra krewe houmas krewe kajuns make ten parade houma mile southwest new orleans lafayette home state second largest mardi gras celebration includes eight parade float band carnival season first parade ten day mardi gras celebrityled krewe carnivale en rio parada featuring rider parade royalty fat tuesday includes king gabriel queen evangeline named hero heroine henry wadsworth longfellow epic poem king toussaint louverture queen suzanne simonet named great haitian historical leader mardi gras parade annual tradition lafayette since recent attendance mardi gras day estimated high police spokesperson first formal mardi gras ball parade lafayette date back king attakapas first lafayette mardi gras king crowned rode town southern pacific train decorated look like royal throne led parade formal mardi gras parade ball seemed come go southwest louisiana mardi gras association formed representative civic service organization ensure lafayette would always mardi gras celebration lake charles host familyfriendly mardi gras celebration nine parade krewes second new orleans number krewes louisiana lake charles mardi gras celebration unique place louisiana public invited see costume krewes one place lake charles civic center mardi gras began lake charles early king momus landed lakefront begin celebration onset world war mardi gras lake charles celebrated much revived latter part century celebration begin lake charles january year last parade krewe krewes parade downtown lake charles mardi gras lake charles regularly draw people addition mardi gras enjoyed lake charles year round mardi gras museum imperial calcasieu feature elaborate costume interactive float museum house world largest collection mardi gras costume new road another mardi gras celebration outside new orleans familyfriendly celebration annual event since includes two parade fat tuesday community center carnival parade one nation oldest africanamerican sponsored event roll morning new road lion carnival parade firstknown mardi gras parade staged charitable fundraiser roll afternoon parade consists many float built fresh year marching band drill unit unlike exclusivity krewe parade new orleans city new road parade open public participation local school church organization business family building entering riding float new road proximity baton rouge metropolitan area result unusually large number visitor new road parade town normal size considering law enforcement official estimated new road parade attendance high year marked favorable weather shreveport located northwestern corner state numerous krewes including several parade include atlas sobek harambee centaur gemini highland oceanus thousand people come shreveport see parade year history shreveport said mardi gras parade beginning civil war however great depression ended celebration year parade tradition renewed krewe gemini parade krewe centaur currently maintains largest membership well member part cajun country eunice basile church point mamou traditional courir de mardi gras french mardi gras run still held le capitaine lead masked men horseback gather ingredient making communal meal usually gumbo participant gather costume move home home requesting ingredient night meal rural mardi gras draw tradition century old reveler sing la chanson de mardi gras song echoing medieval melody people escape ordinary life partly alcohol many consume festive quest role portray costume act part wild gaudy pageant escaping routine existence freed restraint confine every day year capitaine maintains control mardi gras issue instruction rider assemble early morning lead run arrive farm house obtains permission enter private property rider may charge toward house sing dance beg owner offer ingredient gumbo often owner throw live chicken air masker chase like football player trying recover fumble mid late afternoon courir return town parade main street way location evening gumbo prepared louisiana city holding mardi gras parade include bogalusa bush chalmette columbia covington gretna kaplan la place madisonville mandeville maringouin metairie minden monroe natchitoches pearl river slidell springhill thibodaux violent activity american terrorist group ku klux klan louisiana state law prohibiting wearing hood mask public mardi gras one occasion exception allowed halloween celebration religious observance michigan first catholic settler french fat tuesday celebration modern time detroit stem recent influence polish paczki day coastal mississippi community within three coastal county mississippi hancock harrison jackson celebrates mardi gras carnival season parade ball event across region vicksburg located along mississippi river central mississippi hold annual mardi gras parade along mardi gras ball although founded french settler city significant french catholic population since late th century st louis mardi gras revived early bored drunk patron hilarys bar soulard neighborhood adjacent downtown decided march another neighboring bar year started private party grown size scale attracted major corporate sponsorship second saturday mardi gras familyoriented krewe barkus pet parade corporate sponsorship beggin strip participant consist anyone dress pet costume walk pet along parade route parade followed informal wiener dog race saturday fat tuesday adultoriented fleshforbeads parade occurs although various attempt reserve family section one end route people storm street beer bead necklace saturday parade street soulard geyer allen russell ann shenandoah others crowded people th th street fat tuesday parade occurs evening recent year moved north soulard downtown st louis majority overall mardi gras festivity corporate sponsorship primarily anheuserbusch southern comfort led investigation alcohol tobacco tax trade bureau missouri division alcohol tobacco control legality mardi gras inc sponsorship deal tulsa began holding annual mardi gras parade downtown blue dome district group louisiana expatriate friend founded mysti krewe nimbus mysti krewe nimbus bring mardi gras louisiana culture pacific northwest portland particular lacking formal mardi gras festivity krewe held first portland mardi gras ball portland oregon mardi gras ball saturday mardi gras ball fourth year krewe activity grown include mardi gras day parade mississippi avenue float entry annual rose festival starlight parade second line parade safeway waterfront blue festival since wild bohemian mardi gras band led celebration philadelphia notable mardi gras parade held sunday mardi gras band consists philadelphia top musician come together year colorful celebration music bead dancing drinking general merriment early day parade parade began bacchanal th south stopped bar way front street day start fat tuesday south stop paddy whack oneals copa writing band preparing lead th year mardi gras celebration philadelphia let good time roll several year band move fat tuesday night gig south street due vandalism disruption unrelated traditional celebration occurred fat tuesday night radio station ad encouraged people come south street early start drinking midnight wasnt good city discouraged mardi gras celebration south street several year year wild bohemian still led parade sunday fat tuesday without incident search youtube wild bohemian see short fun video parade iframe width height srchttpswwwyoutubecomembedfgqzwwwdssibarcslgpxezz titleyoutube video player frameborder allowaccelerometer autoplay clipboardwrite encryptedmedia gyroscope pictureinpicture webshare allowfullscreeniframe note celebration galveston texas home largest mardi gras festival texas attracts reveler island year celebration galveston date back consisted merely masked ball theatre performance shakespeare king henry iv emergence rival krewes knight momus knight myth led first extravagant mardi gras celebration island tradition includes many night parade masked ball exquisite costume current mardi gras revived george p mitchell unlike new orleans counterpart celebration held monday prior fat tuesday since galveston park board managed event despite struggle success prior hurricane ike promoter galveston park board usually charge admission fee first weekend mardi gras season kickoff event within strand entertainment district bounded th street harborside drive th street market streetavenue parade seawall boulevard free general public around park board slashed budget due deficit decided drop admission fee season forgo live music performance ike devastation galveston island admission charge believed time mardi gras galveston becoming like new orleans counterpart admission fee imposed editorial galveston county daily news suggested mardi gras operated like dickens strand manageable event nonprofit like galveston historical foundation similar port arthur tx mardi gras produced mardi gras southeast texas inc around april galveston businessman mike dean run yagas entertainment inc producer annual galveston food wine festival chili quest festival entered bidding process become new mardi gras promoter fiveyear contract made official november voted member galveston city council admission fee returned – includes weekend prior fat tuesday despite hiring security officer augment local law enforcement statistic galveston convention visitor bureau stated admission fee weekend crime dropped galveston police chief charles wiley prior retirement backing admission fee despite opposition downtown galveston business strand mechanic street reveler vendor usually frequent mardi gras galveston island concern admission fee bring fewer attendee along financial uncertainty park board sold admission ticket prior season march knight momus parade attracted reveler within strand crowd estimate entire mardi gras season vendor downtown galveston business reported drop sale despite promoter bringing live music parade added security includes metal detector bag check downside yagas entertainment inc incorporated rule regulation modeled mardi gras dfw – including prohibition professional video still camera equipment within strand entertainment district production live entertainment national touring band act ticket sale first weekend season dropped first weekend despite numerous complaint vented yagas entertainment inc – dean stated admission charge remain indefinitely existing year contract city galveston renewal admission pricing entry gate averaged discounted ticket available yagas entertainment inc website wwwyagaspresentscom decreased ticket revenue also attributed cold temperature high wind first weekend heavy precipitation second weekend – change season would include contingency planning event rescheduled time shift january admission fee still imposed yagas entertainment – one strand business crow southwest cantina circulated petition since dean allegedly profiteering stated free mardi gras unsustainable houston tv station ktrk stated mardi gras galveston becoming expensive local merchant losing pay public street galveston convention center visitor bureau chair leah cast stated fox houston charging admission fee brings quality event inclusive grammynominated musician balcony party strandarea business claim admission fee keep undesirable element – february festivity strand entertainment district seven reveler refused leave entertainment district arrested galveston police department street sweep police clear strand reveler angry reveler threw beer bottle trash can barricade fencing police video footage posted youtube year later march mardi gras weekend incident repeated galveston police officer fired tear gas partygoer refused comply police order disperse january city galveston issued request qualification concerning future promoter strand entertainment district criterion proposed – contract remain live entertainment national touring act limited recording artist band along paid admission friday saturday prior fat tuesday free admission sunday – amended latter part previous – contract gated checkpointsbag check stipulated new contract wake boston marathon bombing contract lasted five year without contract extension limited year city galveston reserve right extend contract additional two year strand businessowners voiced displeasure yagas entertainment would rather strand entertainment district managed like lone star rally since set gated checkpoint – touring act live music usually performed stage port arthur began celebrating mardi gras dallas texas home mardi gras celebration mystiqal la crosse held mardi gras celebration since originally celebration fundraising effort used provide assistance catholic school tuition within coulee catholic school system addition coulee catholic school event provides funding boy scout america girl scout usa boy girl club ymca la crosse mardi gras includes formal costume ball family community festival caribbean carnivalunited state mardi gras – myth history traditional cajun mardi gras celebration mardi gras mobile encyclopedia alabama fashion plate featuring historic mardi gras costume metropolitan museum art library