By: Towing Fontana
An American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans. — Mark Twain
This powerful quote from one of the country’s most famous writers speaks volumes. This long-standing festival’s impact from all over the globe is undeniable.
Considered the wildest Tuesday of the whole year, the event is an assembly of everything over-the-top. It is the culmination of a series of festivities that start January. This season-long endeavor ends in February with Mardi Gras as the cherry on top.
Wondering why it is still a bucket-list staple?
Once you have stepped foot on Louisiana soil for a good time, you will be leaving with not only a good time, but with an abundance of stories, you will remember for life!
Contrary to how it may look like, this festival goes beyond just being one big party.
What makes Mardi Gras special is not only the effort put into it by the Krewes, but how it gathers people from all walks of life for one purpose: to indulge.
The culture behind it is also something to immerse in. The celebration is an integral part of Louisiana’s heritage, but it has reached different parts of the world. From being a pagan ritual to a Christian tradition, this festival has become an institution. Every detail has something to do with its rich history. The colors, the floats, and the parade is more profound than being just decoration.
Walking the streets of the French Quarter during the festival will make you feel part of the community, even if you live miles away. Some might also get culture-shock (the right kind!) with everything that goes down at the festival.
Women flashing, beads flinging, costume-clad queers, drunk-filled laughter, and a bucketload of art, music, and dances can be experienced at this one-day event. It might be too much to take in at the outset, but once you ease in, you would want to go every year.
Though it will be a different experience every time you visit New Orleans, for a first-timer, Mardi Gras will be worth it.
There’s always something to discover in the streets every time you go visit. There are a lot of highlights you can experience like eating King cake, gumbo; drinking until you drop; watching the floats light up and more. This is something you don’t miss if you love an uncensored good time and do not mind going all out at a party.
Make the most of your visit by planning ahead and researching insider intel from ‘veteran’ Mardi Gras-goers. It’s worth being caught up in the magic of Fat Tuesday, whether you are celebrating it in New Orleans, or taking part in another place’s version of it.
It all depends on your preferences, but one thing is for sure: there won’t be anything quite like the Mardi Gras. The liberating feeling of participating in such a unique event makes it such a must-see. A massive gathering with sensational food and music, risque clothing, and all things magical and sparkly. It is well worth the visit even if you only want to spectate.