New Orleans’ Mardi Gras 2007

From Magical Lundi and Mardi Gras! by little haxby

New Orleans, Louisiana. No disaster could destroy it, no matter how apocalyptic. You just can’t drown an essence. The spirit of this favorite American city is strong as ever.

Locals and relief workers paused their rebuilding efforts temporarily again this year for the world-famous New Orleans Mardi Gras Festival. The Carnival has its roots in the Catholic religion, starting on Twelfth Night, about a month prior to the beginning of Lent, and culminating on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. This year it landed on February 20th. About 800,000 people were in town for Carnival, at least 100,000 more than last year’s estimate, so though there’s obviously still work to be done to help New Orleans rebuild completely and host its pre-storm guest size of over a million, the party has most certainly continued.

Founded in the early 1700s, New Orleans is considered the birthplace of jazz. Its one of the oldest cities in the United States and a tourist favorite, known for its scrumptious cuisine, eclectic music, raucous nightlife, rich history, unique architecture, and its fascinating multicultural heritage.

Parades, music, masquerade balls, krewes, king cakes, bead necklaces, and doubloon throws are all part of the revelry of New Orleans Carnival. There are daily parades for the two weeks prior to Mardi Gras, momentum building with every one. The penultimate Monday is called “Lundi Gras,” a day where the fever-pitch has almost reached its peak: parties, live music, and parades overflow through the streets.

Realtraveler littlehaxby stopped by New Orleans while road-tripping across the Southeastern United States. She pulled into town just in time for Lundi Gras:

“There were politics, and rebirth, fueling this smorgasbord. I wished that I was walking with a native, someone proud to tell me about both the city itself and the progression, the development that these holidays have undergone since Katrina. I was a transient that Lundi, and did not stop to ask some local what it means to be here, today. New Orleans had welcomed me into her ample bosom and I was happy.”

It didn’t take long for littlehaxby to surrender to the thrill of the celebration:

“…And then the parade!! Oh what a show! High school bands, Young Marines, Louisiana cavalry…and then the Zulu floats started. Oh what a show! It took me a few floats to start lifting my arms and letting out my little shrieks for beads, but I got the hang of it (and now my car is ornamented with many beautiful necklaces). The costumes ranged from sloppy to extravagant, and it was just a thrill to be there. I didn’t feel alone because the ceremony of the parade, the magic of this famous and elaborate spectacle, was unifying.” (more…)

Just because Mardi Gras has ended doesn’t mean travelers should wait until next year to visit New Orleans. In these times of mounting stresses, who doesn’t need a little levity, a good meal, a dose of magic? New Orleans has all this to offer, and more. Mardi Gras may be the biggest party of the Big Easy, but fun can be had here any day of the year!

To plan your trip to New Orleans, visit:

New Orleans Travel Guide
New Orleans Tourism Guide
About Mardi Gras

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