Two years ago, I took a fascinating tour of Mardi Gras World, a popular tourist attraction in New Orleans where I learned the history of Mardi Gras and saw the magnificent floats built by artisans who toil all year long to create them. This year, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. (Read to the end to discover how you can celebrate with New Orleans from the comfort of your home)

On the tour of Mardi Gras World, I learned a lot about the Carnival season. According to our tour guide, Mardi Gras has its earliest beginnings in France during the 12^th century, when Catholics celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany.

The season officially kicks off every year on January 6, which is the day Louisiana bakers start selling their famous King Cakes. The cakes are covered with green, purple and yellow sprinkles – the colors of Mardi Gras – shaped in an oval, with delish white sugar icing. Baked inside is a plastic “baby.” More about that later.

King Cakes are typically served during Mardi Gras season, but after Fat Tuesday, you’ll be hard pressed to find another until next season. However, says our tour guide, “New Orlean’s Mardi Gras World is the only place in Louisiana that has access to King Cakes year round.”

Mardi Gras lasts between one month to two months long depending on the Easter calendar. Because Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 23 and April 25, to figure out the start of the season, take Easter Day and count back 47 days. That date is beginning of Mardi Gras season – aka the notorious Fat Tuesday. During the last two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday, the streets of New Orleans are the site of different Mardi Gras parades.  

In a typical year (and this is surely not that), dozens of parades are crammed into two weeks. In some cases there are multiple parades per day rolling down the streets of New Orleans, and multiple parade routes. Bacchus and Endymion are two of the biggest parades of the season, but “there’s a specific group of parades that are considered “uptown parades,” the ones across the Mississippi River are called “west bank” parades, and even the suburbs of New Orleans have some. We have 54 total,” our guide explains.

The guide explains how the parades work each year: “Anyone can start their own Mardi Gras krewe, all you would have to do is have floats in your parade, and up to nine marching bands or walking groups. A lot of people want to be part, and you can keep adding floats until you reach the maximum number – which is 32 floats in a parade.”

“To be part of a krewe {which are the groups that work together to create a parade}, you’re looking at dues between $300 to over $1,000 per person. To be float riders, you have to pay $1500 at least to buy the items you’re going to throw off of your float. Some people throw some really nice stuff off the float! To this day our parades are 100% commercial free,” our guide says.

“Here at Mardi Gras World, we have our krewe. We also make all these props, and our factory is the largest in the world. It’s the only one open to the public.”

“Beyond Mardi Gras, we work with all the big time parades, producing about 500 props that change from year to year. Not to mention we make stuff for Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and we make the giant Chick Fil-A cows you see on the billboards. When you see those signs, think of us,” she says.  

Mardi Gras World was founded in 1947 by Blaine Kern, who studied in Paris to learn the craft of float design and building. The warehouse opened to the public after the Worlds Fair in 1980. “That’s when people were first welcomed here to see the types of props we are creating.” our tour guide concludes. “Now, welcome to Kern Studios!”

After our tour, we were each given a slice of King Cake. Our tour guide warned us if you happen to get the “baby” in the King Cake, then you’re expected to treat for next year’s King Cake. Phew, I didn’t end up with the baby, but I sure did love the cake! Since the rest of the holiday involves eating a whole lot of King Cake, some say that’s how “Fat” Tuesday got its name. 

It’s an unforgettable experience to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. FYI – if you happen to go to a parade, bring along a big trash bag to bring home your trinkets. Some of the things thrown into the crowds include toys, stuffed animals, doubloons, medallions and especially strands of colorful beads. If you can’t go during the season, be sure to visit Mardi Gras World to learn more about this special event!

Celebrating Mardi Gras Virtually in 2021: This year’s Carnival Season will have a new look, with many virtual events you can enjoy at home. Here’s the scoop:

While parades and large gatherings are banned to keep everyone safe during COVID this year, New Orleanians have come up with virtual and alternative celebrations, proving that nothing stops this sacred Carnival tradition. I personally am excited about the King Cake Zoom Cooking Classes!

• The Krewe of House Floats has formed through a grassroots effort, hiring laid off float builders to transform homes into parade floats and bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras parades throughout the city in a safe way.
• Commander’s Palace will be hosting a virtual Wine & Cheese Party from Mardi Gras World
• The New Orleans Music Company will be producing a series of virtual performances and cultural lectures
• New Orleans School of Cooking will host Mardi Gras King Cake Zoom cooking classes
• Restaurants like the Pelican Club have partnered with Kern Enterprises to decorate their dining rooms
• Multiple parade krewes are hosting scavenger hunts for their throws
• The Royal Sonesta will be hosting a Mardi Gras MASKerade
• For more ideas, check out www.neworleans.com.

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