1. Jaden Nichols

2.  Mardi Gras translates to “Fat Tuesday” in English.  The name originates from the ancient custom of a fat ox is paraded through Paris on this day.

3.  They enjoy wearing many Mardi Gras bead necklaces.  They also like to wear big, feathery masks to celebrate. On Mardi Gras, French people like to wear many different things for the celebration.

4.  On Mardi Gras, people like to dance in the streets, wear giant masks, put on plays, have parades, and dress up in costumes.  The form of celebration that is done depends on where you live. HomeHome › Image galleries › EventsImage galleriesEvents Crested Butte Mardi Gras Parade Dancers

5.  Mardi Gras had been celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages, where it was a major holiday.  Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico, from where he launched an expedition up the Mississippi River.  On March 3 of 1699, Iberville had set up a camp on the west bank of the river about 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today.  This was the day Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France. In honor of this important day, Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras.

6. Mardi Gras is a very famous holiday. It is celebrated all over the country with bright colors, hats, masks, beads, and all different kinds of decorations.

7. Everyone likes to dress up on Mardi Gras! Big, flamboyant, colorful designs on masks, costumes, and clothes are very popular.

8. Purple symbolizes justice. Yellow (gold) symbolizes power. Green symbolizes faith.

9.  Mardi Gras is a celebration prior to the fasting season Lent.  Lent in Christian tradition is a period for 40 days not counting Sundays.  To determine Mardi Gras, you find Easter day and count back 40 days (excluding Sundays) and you’ll find a Wednesday.  Then you count back one more day and it’s Mardi Gras!

10.  Many countries and cities worldwide celebrate Mardi Gras.  People all over France, New Orleans, Louisiana, some people in Alabama, Ireland, throughout Europe and Latin America, Germany, and Rio de Janeiro.

11.  "About Mardi Gras in New Orleans | Mardi Gras 2012 | Mardi Gras Parade Schedule." About Mardi Gras in New Orleans | Mardi Gras 2012 | Mardi Gras Parade Schedule. Web. 07 May 2012. .  "The Traditions Of Mardi Gras." The Traditions Of Mardi Gras. Web. 07 May 2012. .  "What Is Mardi Gras?" Mardi Gras. Web. 07 May 2012. .