subject: New Orleans Mardi Gras - United States/ New Orleans [print this page] New Orleans Mardi Gras - United States/ New Orleans
Mardi gras is an important festival for the New Orleans and the whole United States as well. Its origin is dated back to the year 1704 when King Louis XIV sent two of his best generals known as LeMoyne brothers for defending French territories that included present day Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The LeMoyne brothers found that the area was perfect to be colonized and gave it the name Point du Mardi Gras. The translation of Mardi gras gives Fat Tuesday'. It is a day prior to Ash Wednesday and falls at some day between 3rd February and 9th March.
The festival is celebrated with plenty of pump and show. You may witness celebrations, people in whacky costumes taking part in parades all around and everybody seems to be indulged in the celebrations.
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Something unique about this festival is bead throwing. When party goers walk through streets, they are welcomed by women in balconies by beads by throwing these colorful beads over them. So, take part in the parade for sure and get ready to get hit by the plenty of beads that will come along your way. You might be amazed to know that these beads are available in various colors each of which represents human ideals. Green color represents faith; power is represented by gold and justice by purple and so on.
Though the Mardi gras celebrations take place in most parts of the US, but these are special in the New Orleansfor the reason that the festival originated here. The parades held at this time pass through most parts of the region, though some French quarters are avoided.
Parties are organized in most places of New Orleansand don't miss out taking part in as many of them. Plenty of items are available for collection as souvenirs and make sure you have got a big bag to collect these. Mardi gras falls on March 8th in the year 2011. Ensure that you reach there by 5th March to witness all the celebrations.
