Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Room • Double Bed • Sleeps 2

 

The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated annually in the city of New Orleans and throughout Louisiana. Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, Usually, there is one major parade each day. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the Mardi Gras season.

 

The parades in New Orleans are organized by social clubs known as krewes. The earliest-established krewes were the Mystic Krewe of Comus, Rex, the Knights of Momus and the Krewe of Proteus. Several modern “super krewes” are well known for large parades and such as the Krewe of Endymion, the Krewe of Bacchus as well as the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club—a predominantly African American krewe. Float riders traditionally toss throws into the crowds.

 

Following a color-themed Rex parade in 1892 that featured purple, green, and gold-colored floats themed, the Rex organization retroactively declared that the three colors symbolized justice, power, and faith.

 

While many tourists center their Carnival season activities on Bourbon Street, major parades originate in the Uptown and Mid-City districts and follow a route along St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street.  Mardi Gras day traditionally concludes with the “Meeting of the Courts” between Rex and Comus.  Bourbon Street is more focused on “popup” costumed walkers parading through the French Quarter and the ever-coveted balcony patrons tossing beads to the begging crowds below.

 

No one had more passion for Mardi Gras, than the previous owner of our Guesthouse, Lisa Sins.  She was part of the bustier ladies’ parade group.  You could find her every Mardi Gras waving to the crowds from the Arnaud’s Restaurant balcony donned in her bustier and loaded with beads and perhaps a cocktail or two.  Her FAVORITE color was purple and during Mardi Gras she adorned herself, with purple, green and gold.  The more outrageous the better!