It's Mardi Gras time!
For those who do not make the South their home, the holiday, Mardi Gras, is often met with some confusion. What are these days in late-winter that are marked by so much festivity, food, and fun - and why are they so special?
The Mardi Gras holiday is undoubtedly synonymous with the fair city of New Orleans. The first Mardi Gras celebration in The United States is said to have occurred around the year 1700. But did you know that some believe that the first Mardi Gras celebration was actually held in Mobile, Alabama, just across the bay from our Gulf Coast beaches? I certainly won't enter into this debate today, but just know that it is an ongoing topic of discussion!
A Time for Celebration
The tradition dates back thousands of years to spring and fertility rites, and now this days-long party is celebrated in many places worldwide as a carnival - one last hurrah before the Catholic season of Lent begins. It is a time of festivity and merriment before the more somber Lent season of fasting and quiet austerity that leads up to Easter. For many along the Gulf Coast, Mardi Gras has become a southern family tradition, an opportunity to participate in a joyful community atmosphere and to genuinely appreciate what we have. It's yet another way many choose to be grateful and spend some time savoring good food, friends, family, and our community before they turn inward toward thoughtfulness.
Fat Tuesday
The phrase "Mardi Gras" means Fat Tuesday in French, and this final day represents the satiated culmination of feasts, balls, beads, parades, and all-around revelry. It's a precious tradition for many along the Gulf Coast that one must experience to truly appreciate! And for one last bit of trivia, Louisiana is currently the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday!
Here is the Mardi Gras schedule for our area in 2023
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Rain or shine, and yes, even on a parade day, rest assured that the Gatti Team will be here to help you find your next coastal home or condo! Give one of our team members a call today!
Posted by Katy Lonowski Norris on
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