From Google search ‘Fat Tuesday’ –

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Mardi Gras (/ˈmɑːrdiɡrɑː/), also called Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday, in English, refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.
Up until August of last year, I lived in Dallas, Texas for 27 years. I do not recall having Mardi Gras parades or related events. I currently am living in Pensacola, Florida located in the pan handle of Florida and about an hour drive from Mobile, Alabama.
From Google search ‘Where did Mardi Gras originate’ –
Despite the holiday’s rich history in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mayor Sam Jones of Mobile, Alabama, says the first Mardi Gras celebration in this country actually took place in his city, and most Mobile natives agree.
I had no idea the significance of Mardi Gras in this region. It seems for the whole month of February, every Thursday, Friday & Saturday and other days; there has been a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile. Then there are parades in the surrounding smaller towns as well as Pensacola.

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From Google search ‘How long is the Mardi Gras celebration?’ –
The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in Southern Louisiana, although celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades.
I found a schedule for the parades for Mobil and the surrounding area and counted 48 of them total. I never knew the importance of Mardi Gras in the south until now.
From Google search ‘What is the meaning of the beads at Mardi Gras?’ –

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Bead throwing and Mardi Gras go hand-in-hand. The Throwing Of Beads. The tradition of bead throwing starts with their original colors. The color of the beads was determined by the king of the first daytime Carnival in 1872. He wanted the colors to be royal colors – purple for justice, gold for power and green for faith.
I missed all the parades and the beads this year because of my recovery from surgery. I just do not have the stamina to stand for long periods of time in crowds of people.
From Google search ‘Why do we celebrate Mardi Gras?’ –
Related popular practices are associated with Shrovetide celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. In countries such as England, Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which is derived from the word shrive, meaning “confess”.
I never celebrated Mardi Gras in the past and again this year did not celebrate.

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But I have certainly learned the significance and importance of it in this area where I am temporally residing.
I do not know where I will be next year at this time.
I do not know if I will celebrate Mardi Gras next year.
What about you?
Do you celebrate Mardi Gras?