Circle Tuesday, February 28 on your calendar because it’s Mardi Gras 2017, also known as Fat Tuesday 2017 or Pancake Day 2017. Mardi Gras is the last day of carnival season. It comes before Ash Wednesday and marks the onset of Lent—a 40-day period of fasting before Easter.
Mardi Gras is celebrated with pompous festivity in many cities across the world, especially in New Orleans, U.S. People partake in parades on the street and masked balls, and revel with good food and wine. Mardi Gras celebrations are grand and lively since it’s the last day of carnival season, before people settle down for Easter fasting.
Here are 10 Mardi Gras fun facts for your Mardi Gras 2017 celebrations.
Fun Facts to Know for Mardi Gras 2017
- People celebrate Mardi Gras by eating and holding pancake-themed activities in countries like Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
- The official Mardi Gras colors are purple, gold, and green
- The Mardi Gras hype reached North America in the 18th century
- Krewes are clubs that hold Mardi Gras parades and balls
- It is illegal to ride a Mardi Gras float without a mask
More Fun Facts about Mardi Gras
- The first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place in 1837
- The University of New Orleans released an economic impact study that revealed Mardi Gras festivals generate over $840.0 million every year
- About one billion pairs of bead necklaces are sold during Mardi Gras season in New Orleans
- One of the world’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations takes place in Rio de Janeiro
- King’s cake is eaten around the world throughout carnival season, and whoever finds a plastic doll of baby Jesus inside these cakes, is said to have good luck throughout the year
And there you have it folks, 10 fun facts about Mardi Gras. So, be sure to celebrate this annual religious festivity with your family and friends. Sprint to the nearest krewe on Tuesday, February 28, wear a mask, and laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)!
Sources:
“When is Mardi Gras 2017?!?!” Mardi Gras New Orleans web site; http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/when-is-mardi-gras.html, Last accessed February 21, 2017
Morgan, D., “10 Fun Facts About Mardi Gras,” US 105 New Country web site, March 3, 2014; http://us105fm.com/10-fun-facts-about-mardi-gras/, Last accessed February 21, 2017
“Mardi Gras Facts,” Softschools.com web site; http://www.softschools.com/facts/holidays/mardi_gras_facts/854/, Last accessed February 21, 2017
“Mardi Gras – Fun Facts,” New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau web site; http://www.neworleanscvb.com/calendar-events/mardi-gras/fun-facts/, Last accessed February 21, 2017