So What is Mardi Gras:

We all know about the parades, the beads and the partying but not all of us really know what Mardi Gras is all about. We thought we would take a few minutes to teach a quick 'Fat Tuesday 101' seminar in order to answer the question: what is Mardi Gras?

“Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday.” The term refers to the practice of overindulging in fatty, rich foods before beginning a fast for Lent which starts the next day, Ash Wednesday. In New Orleans and a number of other U.S. cities the party begins earlier, lasts longer and involves indulging in a lot more than food.

The Mardi Gras tradition was originally brought to the states by French Catholics and the first Mardi Gras festivities in Louisiana are believed to have taken place way back in 1699. The tradition has long since taken on a life of its own in New Orleans and throughout much of the Gulf Coast.

So what is Mardi Gras in New Orleans all about?

Each year hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to New Orleans to join in the Mardi Gras fun and chances are that most of them are not just getting their ya-yas out before fasting for lent. They come to see the elaborate and festive parade floats and the vibrant costumes of the Mardi Gras Indians. They come to sample the region’s amazing food and hear some of the most fun and authentic music in the world.

And yes they also come to have a few cocktails.

For more information on Mardi Gras as well as inspiration for your own celebrations, check out our Mardi Gras party ideas and our introduction to zydeco music.

Let the good times roll!

View the original article here: http://www.gigmasters.com/blog/post/So-what-is-Mardi-Gras.aspx

Office Party Planning is a free aggregate of news and articles dealing with corporate party event planning. It is curated by Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts, a Chicago Magician that performs for company events, trade shows, office parties, and company parties.