Mardi Gras
By: Abbie Anne Truesdell
Information About Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the world...but mainly in the United States and France. Mardi Gras is a very big event in New Orleans! On Mardi Gras, it wouldnt be hard to find something to do because there are parades, parties, and lots of activities! And when you look around at one of these events you will see a lot of purple, green, and gold because those are the colors of Mardi Gras!
A Mardi Gras Float
On these floats, people with masks and costumes throw down beads, candy, and other prizes down to the parade watchers.
Beads
Beads for Mardi Gras are many different colors, but the most popular beads are gold, purple, and green.
Masks
There are a variety of masks that you would see at a Mardi Gras party. Most masks have feathers and glitter.
Mardi Gras Cake
It is a tradition to have a cake on Mardi Gras. The custom began in 1871 when a young woman recieved a cake with a golden bean inside.The first young woman to recieve a cake was known as the first queen of Mardi Gras.
HISTORY
Mardi Gras started in medieval Europe in the 16th and 17th century. In the late 1700s, masked balls and festivals were common when France was under rule. But when New Orleans came under Spanish rule, the custom of masked dances and festivals was banned. And in 1803 New Orleans became part of the United States and the idea of street festivals was legalized.
Bibliography
-Davis, Jim. "Mardi Gras History." The History of Mardi Gras. Communities Online Inc., n.d. Web. 4 Dec 2012.
-"Mardi Gras New Orleans." Mardi Gras History. MardiGrasNewOrleans.com, n.d. Web. 4 Dec 2012.