1. Mardi Gras
Fat Tuesday

2. Mardi Gras has many names
Mardi Gras has many names. It translates to Fat Tuesday, but the church calls it Shrove Tuesday, It is actually more of a season that starts on the Epiphany and ends on Ash Wednesday. That’s right, a week long celebration of indulgence!

3. The origins trace back to Medieval Europe, but the first celebration here was started in 1703, by a Frenchman Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville. It was not a parade back then, just a day of celebration. It did not become a parade until 1740.

4. In 1871, the Twelth Night’s Krewe began the tradition of throwing items to the crowd.
1872- a group of buisness men introducethe « King of Carnival «  Rex. This also the first daytime parade.
1873- this is the first time the floats are constructed in New Orleans. Before this they are made in France and shipped over.

5. These are family photos from 1970. My first Mardi Gras.
In most areas schools are closed for the week leading up to Mardi Gras. Every small town has a parade of their own.
These are family photos from My first Mardi Gras.

6. Mardi Gras today…
People come to New Orleans from all over the world to celebrate, and take in the rich French culture.