Mardi Gras is the time of year when New Orleans goes crazy. There are parades, floats, costumes, and boozy parties to get ready for Fat Tuesday. The Mardi Gras parade is the second largest parade in the city after Lundi Gras. Held on the day before Fat Tuesday and covering almost every main street throughout Mid-City and Uptown, this has become an institution among locals and visitors alike. The first organized Mardi Gras parades were held in 1827 as part of a masked ball hosted by novelist Thomas Moore at his residence on Royal Street. However, they weren’t a public event but instead something exclusive for guests only. It wasn’t until 1890 that anyone outside of private events had access to them again.
What to Expect at the Parade
The parade will stretch over a few hours and will involve multiple floats, marching bands and people on foot. Unlike some of the other parades held throughout Carnival, the Mardi Gras Parade is generally not as competitive and there are no prizes on offer to the best float, band or individual. The floats are made up of different themes, anything from a tribute to a local sports team to a tribute to a deceased celebrity and everything in between. The marching bands that accompany the floats will play various styles of music including jazz, blues, and of course, traditional New Orleans music. And finally, there are the “throwsters”, people who throw beads, cups, and all sorts of other items from the crowd.
What to Wear to the Mardi Gras Parade
With a multitude of different themes and people watching the parade, you may want to consider dressing up for the occasion. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold, so for men, this is an opportunity to wear a purple or green tie, or even a purple or green shirt if you don’t fancy being formal. Women might want to consider a purple or green dress, or if you’d prefer to keep it casual, a purple or green scarf would do the job just as well, in fact, it may be more practical. That said, you don’t need to dress up to enjoy the parade, and depending on where you watch the parade from it may be more appropriate to dress casually. If you’re watching the parade from a balcony or a rooftop party, it’s probably best to not wear fancy clothing as you may end up covered in beads and throws from the street below.
Where to Watch the Mardi Gras Parade
If you’re staying in Uptown, Mid-City or the Garden District, then you really are in the perfect location to watch the parade. If you’re staying in the French Quarter or Downtown, then you will have to walk to the parade, but it’s worth the trek. New Orleans is a walkable city, so the best thing to do is stay where you are and walk towards the parade. If you’re staying in the French Quarter, walk towards Canal Street and then head towards the river. If you’re staying in Downtown, walk towards Canal Street and head towards the river. If you’re staying in Mid-City, walk towards Canal Street and head uptown. If you’re staying in the Garden District, walk towards Canal Street and head uptown.
The Best Places to Watch
If you want to get the best spot to watch the parade, then you might want to consider going to one of the balconies above the street. Balcony seating is generally free and open to anyone, but you will have to get there early (often the night before) to secure a good spot. Alternatively, if you want a guaranteed spot, you can book balcony seating at one of the hotels right above the parade route. The hotels will charge a small amount for balcony seating, but they will guarantee you a good view of the parade. Alternatively, if you want to get a bit further back and view the entire parade as it passes, then you might want to walk over to the pedestrian walkway that runs parallel to the river. This walkway will place you right in the middle of the parade route, and you can still walk back to your hotel at the end of the night.
Tips for Watching the Mardi Gras Parade
- Keep hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated in the heat, and it’s also difficult to stop and get a drink when the parade is passing you by. The best thing to do is keep a bottle of water with you and sip away.
- Wear sunscreen: Yes, it’s winter, but the sun is still very strong and the last thing you want is to come home with a nasty sunburn.
- Bring some food: You will likely be standing for a few hours, so it’s important to keep your energy up. Candy, nuts or small sandwiches are great for this occasion.
- Bring a bag: While you’re at it, bring a bag that you can use to store all the throws you get during the parade. It’s much easier to keep your throws in a bag than it is to try and hold them in your hands as you walk back.
Conclusion
The Mardi Gras parade is the perfect time to get together with friends and family and experience what New Orleans is all about. It’s a time when anyone can walk down the sidewalk and be welcomed into the party, and it’s the only time of the year that you can do this. Enjoy the music, the food, the fun, and most importantly, enjoy the people. This is what New Orleans is all about.
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