The J-TAC

Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: images.leonardo.com Floats can be seen making their way down the streets of New Orleans and other major cities on Mardi Gras or "fat Tuesday."

Most people have celebrated Mardi Gras, also know as "fat Tuesday", but haven't realized that it is more than just another night to party.

According to www.history.com, Mardi Gras is a pre-Lenten festival celebrated in Roman Catholic countries and communities.

Mardi Gras is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter when Catholics refrain from eating meat on Fridays. It is considered to be a period of preparation for the time of Lent.

History.com notes that the first reported American celebration of Mardi Gras was on Mar. 3, 1699.

Mardi Gras celebrations can start as early as Jan. 6, on the feast of Epiphany, the celebration of the revealing of God. This time kicks off the period of Carnival, the season of celebrations leading up to Lent.

Today's Mardi Gras celebrations have taken to the streets of New Orleans in the type of celebration that is known worldwide. Several parades are held, people dress up in every costume imaginable and of course there is the famous bead throwing.

According to www.mardigrasneworleans.com, spectators watch on the sides of streets as floats travel by. Any spectator willing to can shout out "throw me something mister," can have "throws" thrown at them. Throws refer to the souvenirs thrown from the floats that can include beads, stuffed animals and cups. The throws may differ from float to float.

Once Mardi Gras is over, the period of Lent begins and ends with Easter. Since the date for Mardi Gras is dependent on the date for Easter, Mardi Gras will always take place 47 days before the Easter holiday.

For more information on Mardi Gras visit www.mardigrasneworleans.com.

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