“Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighborhoods, and our joy of living. All at once.”
Chris Rose
My last Mardi Gras post. Two days late. Sorry.
Tuesday was Fat Tuesday.
The traditional name of Fat Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday. Shrove is derived from the word shrive and means absolve. Some spend time examining their conscience as they prepare for Lent. It is commonly called “Fat Tuesday” because it’s tradition to eat foods made with butter, eggs, and fat, such as meat and desserts. Fat Tuesday is a time for revelry and festivities, with people coming together to enjoy sumptuous meals, delicious treats, and vibrant parades. It serves as a joyful farewell to carefree days, emphasizing the imminent spiritual journey of self-reflection and preparation for Easter.
In Gulf Shores there are lots of pancake breakfasts. Just like at home.
MARDI GRAS colours are purple, gold, and green. There are conflicting versions of the reason behind these colours.
Online I read:
- The colors purple, green, and gold are associated with Mardi Gras celebrations. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. These colors were chosen by the Rex, the King, of the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1892.
At the presentation I went to the Mardi Gras Queen said:
- Mardi colors were really only purple and gold but New Orleans added green so as not to conflict with LSU colours which are purple and gold.
I don’t know which is the correct reason.
On Fat Tuesday Gulf Shores also has its Mardi Gras Parade.
Some places close for the day (think Gold Cup and Saucer Parade Day in Charlottetown, PEI). Plus schools are closed.
The history of the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade dates back to 1978 when a group of locals decided Gulf Shores needed a parade. Those locals formed the Pleasure Island Players and thus Mardi Gras began in Gulf Shores. A year later the Mystic Order of Shiners joined the Pleasure Island Players to become what is now the oldest parading order in Baldwin County.
The parade includes floats, marching bands, paraders dressed up in Mardi Gras colours and masks, Krewes, and people throwing items to the crowd. The two big items thrown are beads and moon pies.
Historians believe the tradition of tossing beads dates back to the English Renaissance era, but was introduced in New Orleans when a carnival king threw fake gems and jewelry to his “loyal subjects”.
Read below for a quick history of Mobile’s moon-pied Mardi Gras.
Speciality beads are also thrown.
Boy, do people love to catch these beads and moon pies. Young and old alike. They scramble for them. The joy these items bring is unbelievable. And frustration if someone grabs items out of others’ hands. Tsk Tsk
Why are masks worn? Masking became a tradition because, during early Carnivals, people put on masks to be able to mingle outside their class and keep their reputation untarnished.
The wearing of masks reminds me of the Masquerade scene in Phantom of the Opera. Love that musical as did my grade six elementary music students. In fact Masquerade is my favourite song from that musical.
We didn’t make it to this year’s parade. Difficulty parking. (We have been in the past.) But I did find photos posted by Gulf Shores to share with you. See the colours, beads, and masks.
Even though I didn’t make it to the parade I was able to do this.
For all my Acadian friends.
La Danse de Mardi Gras – Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Take care and stay healthy.
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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