The history of Mardi Gras involves a storied past that can be traced back to early medieval Europe. While the earliest mention of any type of carnival-like celebration wasn’t until the late 1700s when the first existence of Mardi Gras clubs and organizations were starting to be formed in New Orleans, it wasn’t until the late 1830s that the city started holding “street processions” known today as parades.
Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in the French language, so the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Though carnival season for New Orleans and the surrounding areas has already kicked into gear, the highly anticipated annual Fat Tuesday is quickly approaching when the newly presented majestic floats, fancy galas, and coveted throws will be presented.
Known as a day of extravagance that flags the end of the carnival season with Lent following it on Ash Wednesday, Fat Tuesday started to become known as an exciting time for locals and visitors alike.
It wasn’t until the early 1870s that what we know today as Mardi Gras floats started being constructed as well as “throws” being used in these celebrations. In 1875, Fat Tuesday was signed into Louisiana law as an official legal holiday marking it the celebratory festival we know today.
To see the work that goes into constructing those extravagant floats, take a look at “The History of Mardi Gras Floats: From Wagons to Wonders” on the New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours website to learn more about the history of these mammoth moving treasures. And to see just how much work goes into construction these intricate vinbrant floats, the post from the Live Simple Now website titled “Mardi Gras World – How the Floast Are Made – Day 144” It’s an interesting piece that explains what exactly goes into creating those amazing displays of creativity and extravagance.
Today, several South Louisiana locations host parades and celebrations leading up to the big day on Fat Tuesday. The Mardi Gras celebration has been penned “The Greatest Free Show on Earth” due to each “krewe”, or social association that pays membership dues, leaving the expense of the event solely to the members and free for the public.
These fees allow members to ride on the krewe’s floats in parades, attend stunning galas that are held the night of Fat Tuesday, the cost of costumes, throws, construction of floats, and other events throughout the year.
A well thought out celebration can allow you to have the most fun while still remembering to be present and responsible at the same time. Below I’ve listed fifteen ways to balance fun and wellness while staying mindful when celebrating Mardi Gras.
1. Be Mindful of What You Consume
Celebrating Mardi Gras can easily become a carefree experience, especially with so much amazing cuisine, alcohol, and rich traditional desserts known to be consumed during this celebration. But watching what you’re consuming can have a healthy outcome if you’re diligent and mindful.
If you have to enjoy everything decadent this celebration has to offer, try smaller portions, lighter options of the same item, or having a large healthy salad with lean proteins as your main dish before consuming those overindulgent items.
Even splitting an entree with someone as a side to that big salad can be helpful if you plan ahead. You’ll fill up on fiber and protein, while still enjoying that decadent cuisine the South has to offer. You’ll not only feel better after eating, but you’ll have more energy and not be so bogged down by fattening and sugary foods that can deplete your energy and make you regret overconsuming.
With that said, remember to savor those decadent mouthfuls of rich Louisiana cuisine, tempting sugary desserts, and flavorsome alcoholic libations. Just because you are planning ahead and being mindful of what you are consuming during the celebratory festivities doesn’t mean you have to miss out on experiencing it in a more responsible present way.
2. Stay Connected if You Plan on Exploring
If you bring the whole family, have younger children, or enjoy celebrating Fat Tuesday events with a group of friends, staying in communication with one another is always a good idea.
Set a time to meet throughout the festivities to check in with one another, keep a smartphone with you to text your location, or call to let others in your party know your whereabouts and locations as you move around.
Remember your safety and the safety of others is important and there’s no excuse to not be in touch to know where everyone is at any given time.
3. Set a Budget
Like any holiday or celebration, it’s human nature to want to overindulge in those things we don’t usually need or can live without. When we’re in the moment of the festivals and liveliness of the season, it’s easy to forget our financial boundaries and lose track of spending without a set goal.
Setting a budget according to what you want and plan to do can help to not overspend on souvenirs, dining, entertainment, or even gas consumption and lodging. It all goes back to being mindful about what you’re allowing yourself to spend.
Remember that once the party ends, returning home to a depleted bank account can be a remorseful situation, so keep an eye on those unnecessary expenditures that you don’t absolutely need.
4. Keep Your Valuables Close
As with any location where there will be thousands of people everywhere close to you, it’s always a good idea to keep your wallet, valuables, ID, and money close by so you always have sight of them. Men typically keep their wallet in a back pocket, while women tend to keep a purse hanging freely on one shoulder. Try putting that wallet in a side or front pocket if you can.
If you have to carry a purse with you, opt for a crossbody bag that keeps your items in front of your body where you have sight of it at all times. You can even keep a wallet in the crossbody bag if needed.
5. What You Wear Matters
Southern Louisiana weather is known for humidity, heat, and mosquitoes! Preparing ahead of time for the climate and associated pests that go along with that can make your fun more enjoyable without the inconvenience of bug bites, extensive heat, and unexpected rain events.
Preparing for these bothersome occurrences can include such things as taking bug spray with you during the early and later evening times of celebrating, nighttime dinners after dark, and moving to and from one locale to the next around sunset time when biting pests come out more.
What you wear has a lot to do with your comfort as well. Dressing appropriately for the heat, sun’s rays during the day, and wearing comfortable footwear if you plan on walking a lot can make or break the fun experience. Utilizing cotton clothing such as t-shirts and shorts for the warmer climate can also keep you cooler and allow for a more enjoyable time. Also, a sun hat should be used for sun protection along with sunscreen when the days are sunny and hot as a precaution.
As with any areas prone to heat and storms such a south Louisiana, being prepared with a small portable umbrella or rain poncho can come in handy as well for those pop-up rainstorms. They’re convenient to put into a back pocket or unfold quickly if needed.
6. Drink with Awareness
Mardi Gras is a time of overindulgence, but you don’t have to go to the extreme! You can still enjoy those liquid libations while at the same time pacing yourself while watching those parades during the day, strolling on Bourbon Street after dark, or enjoying the cuisine the Crescent City has to offer.
Drinking with awareness simply means just paying attention to how much you’re consuming. It’s not hard to lose track of those cold flavorsome beverages. Especially on a balmy or sweltering day. But trying to offset the alcohol here and there by eating, drinking water in between drinks, and pacing yourself can lead to better care of your body, your mind, and how you feel the following day.
7. Don’t Forget to Hydrate
Speaking of drinking water, good hydration is a necessary when attending festivities such as Mardi Gras in a warm climate in the South. Don’t be left dehydrated and prone to heat exhaustion during your enjoyment of the city’s events and festivities. Remember to keep a bottle of water with you or locate establishments that sell them.
If you’re enjoying libations in a restaurant or bar, drink water in between each cocktail to be sure you are hydrating and counteracting a combination of your alcohol intake, the heat of the day, and general fluids needed for your body to function properly.
8. Stay on Your Side of the Street
Not walking or running across the street during parades is just common sense. Younger attendees, and even some adults who know better, seem to be tempted to run across the street through the parades ignoring the safety laws and rules set forth for their own protection. Anyone can get injured by the massive floats.
The constant stop-and-go movement of the floats is unpredictable most of the time and it’s just not worth it. Enjoying the beautiful and unique floats and marching bands passing by is better than winding up in the emergency room for something that common sense could have prevented in the first place.
Instead, decide early on where you will position yourself. Arrive early and stay there. Enjoy the intricate floats and the colors and shapes of the different themes. Appreciate the throws that are offered by each float. They’re throwing the same things to you as they are on the opposite side of the street, so there’s no reason to dash across the road possibly causing danger or injury to yourself or someone else.
9. Get Creative with That Reusable Tote
If you’re an avid “throw catcher” and enjoy standing on the sidelines as the floats motor along popular parade routes, it’s a good idea to bring a reusable tote that’s easily collapsible for transporting to the parade as well as fillable for all those throws you look forward to catching. It will make it a lot easier by the end of the parade to keep and carry all of those doubloons, beads, signature cups, and other unique throws after the parade is over.
You can even take it a step further and decorate your tote before the event. Find a colorful bag, preferably with handles for easy carrying, then attach vibrant feathers, beads, bows, flowers, even sequins! The sky’s the limit to your imagination. You’ll have a terrific carry-all for all those throws you catch at the parades, and also a unique, one-of-a-kind tote that you’re sure to get several compliments on!
Another idea is if you’re more of a “catcher”, and not so much a “keeper” of all those items coming off the floats, then try handing your throws out to small children as you walk to your next destination after the parade is over. You can save a few of the special ones as souvenirs from the event, then pass the rest of them out. Children, and even some grown adults, will appreciate your generosity and you’ll have a more memorable experience by including a little “gifting” and not so much “receiving”.
10. Remember to Get Enough Sleep
Mardi Gras galas are traditional social evening affairs that are typically held the evening of Fat Tuesday as a signaling of the finalization of the year’s carnival celebrations. Planning ahead to get more sleep than normal each evening or even taking naps in the daytime around events and celebrating leading up to the big day can help with preserving more energy for the gala or if you’re just going out for a night on the town.
11. Set Mindful Intentions
Better preparation includes mindful planning and setting intentions as to what you want your day to be like. Whether your plans include walking a parade route, standing on the streetside catching throws from beautiful passing floats, barhopping with mindfulness, exploring historic museums, or enjoying the southern cuisine Louisiana has to offer in any of hundreds of incredible establishments, it’s a good idea to set an intention for each day, be mindful of that intention throughout your day, and follow through with it.
Setting intentions can help to keep your plans for the day in line with what you expect, motivate you to be mindful of the events and locations you will see and enjoy that you planned, and set an expectation for yourself to stick to your guns while still enjoying the sights, sounds, flavors, and everything else the City of New Orleans has to offer.
12. Be Prepared for Unexpected Weather
South Louisiana is known for “pop-up” rainstorms. It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s just going to happen. Be prepared by bringing that portable umbrella or foldable rain poncho I mentioned before. There’s nothing wrong with a little rain to cool things off for a while after a long hot day standing on pavement! Just be prepared so you don’t have to make a mad dash to the nearest retailer on your parade route for those items. They will be expensive and may even be hard to find if everyone else is going after the same things too.
13. Dress for the Fun
It doesn’t matter if you dress in full Mardi Gras costume, wear everyday casual clothes in the traditional green, purple, and gold colors with a pile of beads around your neck, or if you find yourself somewhere in between with colorful attire, vibrant feather boas, fun hats, and shorts with tassels. The idea is to have fun, do something to involve yourself in the spirit of the event and the city, and enjoy yourself.
If you’re a local, you know you won’t be unlucky at finding attire at unique boutiques, local thrift shops, and other specialty Mardi Gras retailers in town for the big day. Not from the Big Easy or close enough to find your outfit there with a quick drive? Then take a look online at New Orleans locations that sell Mardi Gras costumes, colorful traditional colored garb, and other goodies to adorn your outfit with like feathers, boas, and other fun trinkets.
14. Be Present When Appreciating the City
The City of New Orleans plays host to numerous wrought iron artwork presentations from double-storied bars steeped in history, culinary establishments with storied pasts, and colorful multi-level abodes of locals. Each ironwork style telling a unique story since their origins in the 1850s. A company called MLM Incorporated provides an in-depth and informative article titled, “The History of Wrought Iron Features in New Orleans” on their website at www.mlm-inc.com The post offers an insightful write-up about the history and construction of wrought iron in the Crescent City.
Enjoying the art and intricacy of these unique railings, detailed gates, and even stairwells while in the Big Easy is something that you will be happy you did while there. It is rich in Louisiana history, provides some great picture taking opportunities, and gives you an interesting story to tell your friends and family back home.
15. Always Include Gratitude
Remembering to have gratitude for your experiences before, during, and after Mardi Gras can bring unparallelled satisfaction, happy memories that will last a lifetime, and physical and mental images that you can carry with you for years to come.
As with anything, being grateful for what you have, the people in your life, and other positive and important things in your environment will usher calm and clarity into your experiences you otherwise would not have without being grateful.
When the Party’s Over
Celebrating Mardi Gras in the Big Easy, or anywhere in South Louisiana as the festivities carry on before and after the big day, can be enjoyable and memorable while still having mindfulness doing so. You’ll have lots of stories to tell from your experiences, plenty of photos to share with those who weren’t with you, and you’ll feel better by not having overindulged while participating in the fun.
Considering these tips for staying mindful while celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans can make room for even more enjoyment of the festivities while in the city. Remaining mindful of these tips during your celebration will help to keep you safe, healthy, and thoughtful of yourself and those around you.
MY MINDFFUL REQUEST…
Take into consideration safety, logic, and not overindulging during your Mardi Gras celebration this year. Enjoy yourself but remember to be mindful of those around you as well.