Cheryl and I still remember our first Mardi Gras over 50 years ago as if it were yesterday—probably because we’ve blocked out most other memories! The event was this massive party full of excitement, color, and enough glitter to make a disco ball feel insecure. Even though things have changed since then, the festival still retains its lively atmosphere, though I might argue the music was better when they weren’t sampling pop songs in a marching band format.

One of the best things about Mardi Gras is the high school bands that march down the streets, playing captivating music while simultaneously giving their parents heart palpitations. You can see kids, guys, clowns, and girls—basically, a talent show gone wild. And don’t forget to snag some beads! Just be prepared for the inevitable “What did you do to earn these?” questions later on. As for the food, street-side vendors whip up delicious goodies that will have you questioning your life choices as you consume that three-foot-long hot dog while panda-wrestling with a giant slice of king cake.

We just can’t wait to attend Mardi Gras each year, especially since our niece has taken to riding on one of the floats in New Orleans. We like to think of ourselves as Mardi Gras groupies – you’ll see us shouting, “Hey, throw me something !” We’re just there for the family ties and the free beads, of course.

Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday but also a wildly popular cultural phenomenon where everyone suddenly becomes an amateur parade float designer. This party dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites, which is a fancy way of saying they probably threw a wild party to celebrate a little rain and sunshine. The festivities are mostly held in countries with large Roman Catholic populations, which is why you’ll see crowds in Brazil, Venice, and New Orleans yelling happily in multiple languages — mostly “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” or as we like to call it, “Let’s eat, drink, and forget our diets!”

Traditionally, Mardi Gras is celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” which is the official day to indulge in all the foods you promise not to eat for the next 40 days. In 2024, this glorious day falls on Tuesday, February 13th. So, mark your calendars—and your stretchy pants!

The Mardi Gras tradition dates back thousands of years to those raucous Roman festivals. When Christianity showed up, the religious leaders thought, “Hey, why not keep the wild parties and call it preparation for Lent?” Now, every year, as we gorge on king cake, we’re pretending we’re simply stocking up for a month-long seafood diet. The name “carnival” is also a cheeky nod to this feast; it’s like saying “Hasta la vista, bacon!” in the context of a healthy lifestyle choice!

In French, “Mardi” means Tuesday and “gras” means fat. So essentially, Mardi Gras translates to “Fat Tuesday,” which feels like a celebration for people who have skipped leg day a few too many times! In the days before Lent, people would fatten up on every rich food they could find—meat, cheese, you name it—because nothing says “I’m ready to diet” like a belly full of lard! Just remember: What happens at Mardi Gras stays at Mardi Gras—especially if you didn’t have a good enough time to remember it!