NEW ORLEANS – It’s 10 a.m. on a spring Tuesday, and several dozen people wearing bright beads around craning necks slowly stroll the warehouse in wonder. The enormous chamber holds more than Mardi Gras floats; around them are beautiful or beautifully grotesque figures brighter and generally larger than life. Some creations are humorous or benign; others verge on the terrifying.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in style from a Bourbon Street balcony in the heart of the French Quarter. Tickets include balcony access, private restrooms, snacks, and open bars. Balcony available for Krewe of Cork, Bacchus Sunday, Lundi Gras, and Fat Tuesday.
- Find Mardi Gras recipes, videos, and ideas from Food Network. More Fat Tuesday Favorites. Don’t worry about your waistline this Fat Tuesday with this fun and guilt-free Mardi Gras menu.
- Mardi Gras Recipes Mardi Gras Recipes Find Mardi Gras King Cakes and recipes for classic Cajun and Creole favorites like gumbo, jambalaya, hurricanes, and more! Mardi Gras Appetizers. It's what you need to keep you dancing all the way through Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday is Pancake Day!
These visitors – the first of many on this day at Mardi Gras World – talk among themselves in French. That’s appropriate, given the ancestral roots of the region and of the annual blowout that attracts roughly 1.4 million revelers. “Mardi Gras” translates as “Fat Tuesday.”
But this tour group is visiting from Quebec or Europe, and Mardi Gras – the four-parade culmination of the pre-Lenten Carnival season – was still eight weeks away.
The event wriggles around the spring calendar because it is the day prior to Ash Wednesday, tied to date-shifting Easter. Mardi Gras could fall anywhere between February 3 and March 9; similar but smaller festivals across the Gulf Coast follow this schedule.
But what if your work schedule basically makes it impossible to go to New Orleans in February or March or you want to experience the real deal but without quite so many drunken revelers? You're in luck.
Arthur Hardy, the author of “Mardi Gras in New Orleans: An Illustrated History' (now in its fifth edition) and the leading expert on Fat Tuesday, says visitors can reasonably expect a Mardi-like experience any month of the year. In fact, for him, the fun is also work that never stops. Fat Tuesday and the multi-week run-up to it now include more than 70 area parades.
Hardy is a fifth-generation local who since 1977 has written and published annual guides to the event. In addition to these slick and thick magazines, He's also the author of “Mardi Gras in New Orleans: An Illustrated History,” now in its fifth edition.
Mardi Gras is no longer confined to late winter or early spring, he says
'For the past two Septembers, for instance, I’ve been special grand marshal of a parade Harrah’s Casino had for some of its high rollers,' Hardy says. 'It’s an out-of-season facsimile.”
There are also Mardi-inspired parades for Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.
By the way, Hardy says those French-speaking tourists were on the right track: “Mardi Gras World is a must-do.”
See the fabulous floats
In 1946, local artist Blaine Kern created such a sensation with the rig he built for the Krewe of Alla parade that other groups sought him out to design and build their floats. Soon there was enough business that Mardi Gras became his actual business – and his nickname: 'Mr. Mardi Gras.'
After travelling through Europe and apprenticing with top float and costume designers, Kern brought his ideas home to New Orleans, where he built Kern Studios. In 1984, it became Mardi Gras World, a tourist attraction that provides a behind-the-scenes look at parade prep.
Located just upriver from the French Quarter, the 300,000-square-foot Mardi Gras World facility is one of a dozen Kern warehouses. Props move among them as needed, but this is the main facility, and it is always full of Mardi parts.
After visitors watch a 14-minute film about Mardi Gras and the Kern family’s involvement, a tour guide leads them to the work area in the middle of the facility, where they get to see what Kern's team does all year.
While 'krewes' – the nonprofit social clubs that stage balls and field Carnival parades with masked members on floats – provide their own tractors and chassis, Mardi Gras World furnishes the increasingly elaborate “props.'
From thought to prop
The process for parade floats is not unlike any other design-driven enterprise: After being given the theme for a given parade, there are sketches that lead to the fabrication of new props or updating ones already in Kern's inventory. Most props are cut from styrofoam cores and covered in papier-mâché and painted.
What do the pieces look like on floats? See for yourself: This warehouse is filled with floats from the Orpheus krewe, a major Mardi Gras player known for its musical themes and floral-decked floats. This year, the group fielded a 20-float procession this year one day before Fat Tuesday.
Tour groups visit each assembly stop, where guides tell stories about notable pieces and strategies krewes use to sidestep city ordinances. For example, the law says a parade can't have more than 32 floats but five linked floats pulled by one tractor only counts as one. The longest on record featured a chain of nine.
Along the way, tour guides answer visitors burning questions, like how much floats weigh (between two and four tons) and how krewes deal with bathroom issues during an 8-hour parade (construction crews build hidden lavatories into the float).
Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Picture
Fat price tags for Fat Tuesday floats
Although a basic float can cost $20,000, MGW spokesperson Brooke Pickett notes that the price tag for signature (permanent) floats featuring fiber-optic lights, smoke machines, animatronics and other accoutrements can run into the millions. And the floats often get regular updates.
“Floats reflecting krewes’ annual themes are redone yearly,' Pickett notes. 'We work on anywhere from 30 to 50 parades a year, and these are for all over the country – and the world.”
How to make the most of your Mardi Gras World visit
- Tours last an hour. Listen to the guide now, take photos later – because you can stick around on your own after the formal tour ends.
- Go early. Then leave on the free MGW shuttle to its stop at the French Quarter’s open-air French Market (a great place to buy beads and other parade “throws” pitched at parade goers). It’s just a few blocks from Jackson Square.
- Take me to church: Historic St. Louis Cathedral. which dates back to 1727, is an 8-minute walk from the French Market
- Mardi Gras: The Museum: Across from the cathedral, you'll find the Presbytère Museum, where the second floor houses the permanent exhibit 'Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana.' It documents the event's evolution from French colonial balls to processions, floats and beyond using sketches, costumes and other amazing artifacts. In June, the museum added 'Grand Illusions: The History and Artistry of Gay Carnival in New Orleans,' available through Dec. 6, 2020.
Mardi Gras is on Fat Tuesday, always the day before Ash Wednesday. Rich in culture and tradition, the final day of carnival is celebrated not only in the United States and Brazil, but around the world. The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most popular locations for Mardi Gras parties, and will fill up with tourists hoping to have one of the most exciting experiences of their lifetime.
You certainly don't need to be in New Orleans or any other hot spots to celebrate Mardi Gras. Many organizations and local nightclubs often have a Mardi Gras night, although most choose to do it on a weekend, when most people will be able to attend. If you don't want to go to a club or bar, you can plan your own private Mardi Gras party and choose the guests too! Here's some ideas for decorating, activities, food, activities, and party favors.
Decorations
Colors for Mardi Gras are by no means subtle. Bold colors prevail but the main theme colors are purple, green, and gold (representing justice, faith, and power respectively.) The brighter the better! You can look in local stores for seasonal decorations or shop online at stores where party supplies are available all year long. To save money, look for 'generic' supplies such as streamers, napkins, plates, and other tableware that are the proper colors. More ideas for decorations include:
- String or rope light set
- Balloons
- Banners
- Beads
- Centerpiece
- Crepe paper
- Doubloons
- Flags
- Jazz music or blues (is not a decoration but is crucial to the atmosphere.)
- Streamers, confetti
- Tableware (tablecloths, paper plates, napkins, cups, forks & spoons)
Activities & Games
Entertainment for adults and children will probably vary quite a bit. It your party will have both in attendance, it may be a good idea to set aside a 'kids' room and designate someone for crafts and games. Having your party at school? The classroom is a great place to teach kids about Mardi Gras with decorations, party games, and puzzles. There are several things to do listed below for whoever you're entertaining. Of course, some are more appropriate for adults, some for children.
- Card Games
- Charades
- Coloring Pages
- Costume Contest
- Create your own mask with cardboard, markers, feathers and glitter
- Crossword puzzles, word searches
- Dance/Mambo
- Group together to make a large poster
- Hangman (in school on chalkboard)
- Make Doubloon Fridge Magnets
- Make your own necklace with string and colored beads
- Mardi Gras/Carnival charades
- Musical chairs (with jazz music, of course)
- Parade
- Twister
Mardi Gras Menu / Food Ideas
What's Fat Tuesday without food? Traditional foods for Mardi Gras are spicy Cajun or Creole cuisine. Color is essential as well as strong aromas and flavors. Typically, there are several dishes served before dessert but you'll need to customize your party menu to your budget and cooking capabilities if you're not hiring a caterer. Need ideas? Read on...
Meat - You can choose from a wide variety of meats such as pork, beef, chicken, poultry, and seafood. The trick is how it is prepared. Barbequing is a popular method for beef and pork with additional Cajun seasoning added. Poultry is often fried and seafood boiled. Smoking is a typical process used to preserve meat and adds flavor. Depending on the weather, you may wish to stew the meat or make gumbo with meat and vegetables. Grilling is another option that cuts cooking time and is great for outdoor parties.
2019 Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras
Side Dishes - Choose side dishes that will complement your main dish. Red beans and rice are customary for Mardi Gras and are inexpensive to make. Side dishes with vegetables or fruit are colorful and can be served as a kabob. Stuffed tomatoes, yams, okra, green beans and cabbage dishes are excellent options. Salads are always a crowd-pleaser. Cajun seasoning added will give them a unique flavor, perfect for your party! You can buy Cajun seasoning in the store or make your own.
Don't forget to serve some type of bread. Banana bread, corn bread, buttermilk biscuits, or muffins smothered in rich butter will make sure that your Fat Tuesday ain't skinny. Many recipes for Mardi Gras Carnival can be found here.
Dessert - A meal isn't complete with out dessert. It's tradition to serve King Cake but there are many other desserts that fit the theme. Peach cobbler, bread pudding, coffee cake, pound cake, pecan or apple pie, rice pudding, strawberry shortcake, or even basic chocolate cake. Kids love cupcakes and cookies. You can keep them busy by letting them decorate their own. If you're in a time crunch, let them do this in advance and freeze the desserts until party time.
Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Date
Beverages - Don't spike the punch if there will be children attending your party. Instead, have separate areas for beverages if you plan on serving alcohol. Have beverages that do not contain alcohol available for the younger crowd and adults who do not want alcohol. For those that do, you can provide a few options and ask guests to bring their own if it's not something you'll have on hand.
A keg of beer, wine, smoothies, or hurricanes will probably be sufficient but it may depend on what drinks are popular in your area. Remember to be responsible and not 'over-serve' guests. If you notice any that have too much to drink, let them crash at your place or provide them with a ride home via taxi or sober driver.
Carnival Party Favors
Everyone loves party favors and Mardi Gras is one occasion where they're probably necessary to promote the theme. Unless you're from a city where Mardi Gras is big business, most people won't have anything to bring along to help them celebrate. Masks, beads, bracelets, hats (jester hats, top hats, crowns,) noisemakers, and confetti will all add to a festive atmosphere and get everyone into Mardi Gras 'party' mode. Chocolate, foil-wrapped doubloons will be a hit with the kids and also make great decorations.