Well for 17 years we have been down in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but this is the first year we aren't going to be there, so thought why not bring the festivities here. I have hidden caches related to Mardi Gras with beads and masks and medallions from January 12 to February 17th. I have selected random days to release them during this period.
Mardi Gras originated from ancient pagan spring and fertility festivals, adopted by medieval European Christians as a pre-Lenten celebration to indulge before the 40-day fast, evolving through French Catholic traditions, and eventually brought to the Americas by French settlers, in the 17th century with early celebrations in Mobile, Alabama before becoming famously associated with New Orleans.
Arrival in America - the first American Mardi Gras was celebrated in 1703 by French settlers in Mobile, Alabama. A French Canadian explorer Sieur de Bienville names aspoit Pointe du Mardi Gras in 1699, and the festival grew in New Orleans especially after the first parade in 1837.
Masks are used for anonymity, allowing people to escape social constraints and indulge in revelry. Colors Purple, Green and Gold were introduced in 1972 by the Rex Oranization symbolizing justice, faith and power respectively. King Cake - a traditional cake with a hidden baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, with the finder often hosting the next party.
The 6 week carnival season starts on January 12, 2026, with Mardi Gras falling on Tuesday before Lent, which is February 17, 2026.
Mardi Gras in English means Fat Tuesday. The name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinena. Fat Tuesday is before Ash Wednesday.
You typically find impressive parades, tons of beads in green, gold and purple and increadible food. They estimate around 25 million pounds of beads get thrown into the streets from the floats every year. There are over 70 parades held throughout New Orleans area during carnival season