Mardi Gras is a state holiday in Louisiana and in a few counties in Alabama. These are also the two states that hold the biggest celebrations, for good reason – in the early 1700’s these areas contained French settlements which celebrated the holiday they brought with them from Europe. However, these days Mardi Gras is observed all over the United States and the world, including in the Boston and Danvers area. There are plenty of parties to choose from!

• Mardi Gras is always celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Christian tradition of Lent. Tradition says that revelers would eat everything in the house before the period of fasting and repentance would commence, hence it’s name – Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras in French.
• In New Orleans (and countries around the world) Mardi Gras is the last day of a carnival season which lasts one to two months.
• New Orleans has been celebrating Fat Tuesday with parades since 1837 when the first secret society “krewe” staged a magical display involving torches and marching bands. The first floats appeared in the parade in 1857. “Krewes” continue to run the parade and provide the entertainment. They are private clubs with membership dues ranging from a few dollars to thousands of dollars.
• The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), gold (power) and green (faith).
  
• In Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, Mardi Gras is also called Pancake Day, and everyone indulges heavily in the breakfast staple.
• Another delicious tradition includes the King’s Cake, which is baked in the three colors of Mardi Gras and generally has a Jesus figurine baked into it. Whoever gets the piece with the King is thought to have good luck all year.
• Beads have been a part of the parade since the early 1900’s, and now people throw stuffed animals, trinkets and more.
• Masks have been a part of the parades from the very beginning when the French settlers held masquerade balls. It is actually illegal in some places to ride on a Fat Tuesday float without a mask!If you are planning a Mardi Gras party of your own, find some masks and beads, and call the floral designers at Curran’s Flowers. We will create the perfect ambiance for your party, with gorgeous arrangements of purple, gold, and green, Let’s celebrate!