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A King Cake is a ring cake decorated with sweet purple, gold and green frosting. Most people believe these colors were chosen simply because they look good together.Īnother Carnival tradition that begins on Twelfth Night is the King Cake. Legend has it that green represents faith gold, power and purple, justice.
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These are the official colors of Carnival. The season officially begins on Twelfth Night or "Kings Night." Many New Orleanians with artificial Christmas trees will leave them up and replace the Christmas decor with purple, gold and green ornaments. The Carnival season is the highlight of the New Orleans social calendar. During the toast, Rex gives all city workers the day off and commands everyone to have a good time. This is the official proclamation and beginning of Mardi Gras. The highlight of the parades is the toast between the King of Carnival - Rex - and the mayor of New Orleans. Of course, going home with a prestigious Bourbon Street Award is often the motivation for their sequined madness.Īlthough parades roll for weeks before Fat Tuesday, on the Day of Days - parades begin early in the morning with the ever popular Zulu and don't stop until the last float passes late in the night. People come from all over the world just to strut around in costumes of their own design. This is where you'll find the more extravagant costumes.
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The lower French Quarter is the center for Gay Mardi Gras. Police tend to look the other way at most of the stuff that goes on Mardi Gras day. The chant "Show me your "insert preferred body part here" !) that would land a person in jail on any other day of the year. Costumes can be more than revealing and there are some Carnival traditions (i.e. The French Quarter is often called the "adult" Mardi Gras. Even though the obscenity laws are still on the books, it's amazing what people get away with wearing or, should we say, NOT wearing. It's not unusual to see a marching box of Crayola Crayons or a studly herd of bare chested firemen carrying a ten foot hose. Families and friends often mask as a group. However, you'll find people enjoying this tradition beginning the Friday before Mardi Gras day. Mardi Gras day or Fat Tuesday is the traditional day for masking. Carnival can run as long as two months, depending on the church calendar. The Carnival season begins on January 6th or Twelfth Night (Kings Night) and runs until the beginning of Lent - the Easter season (Ash Wednesday). Mardi Gras is a single day that is the climax for the Carnival season. There is a distinction, however, between Mardi Gras and Carnival. Thus, the coining of the phrase "Fat Tuesday." Some time ago, the tradition was to slaughter a fatted calf on the Tuesday before the beginning of the Lenten 40 day fast. Most "outsiders" assume Mardi Gras takes place on a single day. Mardi Gras reflects and defines the cultural traditions of New Orleans. Everywhere else in the country, it's just another Tuesday, but, in New Orleans it's Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras is more than a single day of celebration. Brief History of Gay Mardi Gras - Gay New OrleansĮvery year, New Orleans shuts down and throws the party of parties.