Mardi Gras Unmasked, The Lowdown on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana

Mardi Gras is February 8th, 2005

Mardi Gras 2005 Parade Schedule
Can't you almost feel the boom of dat big bass drum? YEE-OWW! Throw me some of dem big beads, MISTAAAAAH!

Carnival Countdown
What's going on, day by day, in the weeks leading up to Carnival Day.

Colorful Characters
Personalities who enrich the panorama of Mardi Gras.

Eye Candy
360-degree panoramas, mard-E-cards and image gallery.

What It's All About

There is no one way to celebrate Mardi Gras, an
amalgamation of crazy habits and rituals that occur within a framework of established conventions. Nevertheless, when planning a Mardi Gras party, you’re better off knowing about king cake cheats, the prerogatives of tinsel royalty, the sociology of “earning” beads and the importance of foolishness in the observance of tradition.

Fat Tuesday Eyeball Kicks
A kaleidoscope of offbeat cultural rituals to behold at "The Greatest Free Show on Earth."

Local Color & Customs
King cake, Barkus and other traditions near and dear to the hearts of New Orleanians.

Carnival 101
History, terminology and useful tips.

Carnival Courier
A selection of noteworthy news items about Mardi Gras.

Carnival Quotes
What Mark Twain, Louis Armstrong, Calvin Trillin and others have had to say about New Orleans' most distinctive civic ritual.

Mardi Gras Music
What you need to know about its genres and evolution

Carnival Trivia Challenge
Test your knowledge of a tradition with a long and storied history.

Carnival 4 Kidz
Children of the realm are indoctrinated into the rituals of Carnival almost from infancy. Plus: a listing of activities.

2005 Updates
Sign in so we can keep you posted about Mardi Gras 2002 as well as new write-ups and other enhancements to this site.

	Discount Hotel Rooms still available for Mardi Gras 2005!
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