Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a holiday with big parades and bright costumes. The name means Fat Tuesday in French. It happens the day before a Christian season called Lent. The biggest Mardi Gras in America is in New Orleans, Louisiana. People fill the streets with music and dancing.

Parades and Floats

Mardi Gras parades have huge decorated floats that roll through the streets. People on the floats toss plastic beads, coins, and candy to the crowd. The official colors are purple, green, and gold. Marching bands play loud, happy music. Kids and adults wear masks and costumes.

Food and Fun

A special treat called king cake is eaten during Mardi Gras. It is a round cake with icing in the festival colors. A tiny plastic baby is hidden inside the cake. Whoever finds the baby has good luck. People also enjoy gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.

Fun Facts

• The first American Mardi Gras was celebrated in 1699 near what is now Mobile, Alabama.
• Over one million people visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras each year.
• More than 25 million pounds of beads are thrown during the parades.

Did You Know?

The day after Mardi Gras is called Ash Wednesday. It is the start of Lent, a quiet time for many Christians.