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?
That was absolutely fascinating! In Britain although it is officially Shrove Tuesday most people call it Pancake Day and set about buying or making pancakes (which are not the little fluffy chubbers you have in the States but more like a version of French Crepes) …. here in France it is, of course, called Mardi Gras because it is French … but the pancakes have been eaten earlier in February for le Chandeleur (Candlemas) which falls 40 days after Christmas on 02 Feb. So today is all about les Bugnes which are gorgeous little misshapen doughnut type creations which you buy by weight and which are available all over France and year round but are originally from Lyon which is an hour from here and the capitol of our Region and are really meant to be saved for today. Guess who just bought a bag? And guess whose dog thinks (erroneously) they are for her! Bonne Fête de Mardi Gras a toi and may next year see you in a crowd enjoying the carnival 🎡 😊
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Thank you for the interesting facts Osyth. I did a search on les Bugnes, and those look very yummy – I shall someday have to try one, or two! 🙂
Vous souhaitant toutes les bonnes choses ce jour.
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Monsieur Terry – tu parle bien le Français! Bugnes are gorgeous …. I think we should partake of a few when you get over here. Which you will. Because I say so and you know I don’t take no for an answer and you know I only ever say what I mean. So there! 🙂
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Ah yes, I will be there someday! Thank you dear Osyth. 🙂
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Do I celebrate a holiday that encourages me to drink and for people to throw free things at me? You bet I do!
Then again, as I just got back from New Orleans and celebrating Mardi Gras (I don’t even know how many times I’ve been there for Mardi Gras at this point, I’ve done it so much), I think you probably already knew that. 🙂
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Well yes, drinks and free stuff works for me also. I have never been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras – maybe someday I will make it there. I hear you are visiting Florida soon – where about where you be? Happy Fat Tuesday! 🙂
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You should definitely try to make it there sometime – it’s something to see, that’s for sure!
As for Florida, we’re heading to Key West – so as far from Pensacola as you can get in Florida via car!
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Ah, Key West another place I have yet to visit. I plan to make it down there one day. Have a great time and enjoy the beautiful sites and sunny weather.
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Oh, definitely go to Key West – it’s laid back and great. I bet you and Gary would LOVE it. Even better, it’s super dog-friendly!
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My hubby arrived in Portugal today for business, and today is their Carnival Day which is like the Mardi Gras. Apparently he was told that it is the biggest Carnival of the year for them. So he will be experiencing a bit of it for the first time in his life.
Sadly we don’t celebrate it here.
I must say, reading your post, it does sound interesting and really festive. Who knows, next year you may get to enjoy it. 🙂 And, if not the Mardi Gras, there will be something else of interest. Have a good day my friend. 🙂
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I new Mardi Gras was big in New Orleans, but not here – it surprised me how big of a deal it is in this area. If I am in this area next year, I hope to take in some of the parades – looks like fun. Thanks Lynne, enjoy your day! 🙂
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Thanks for explaining all about it! I honeslty have never known much but it is very interesting! xx
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Thanks Lynn, I did not know much about this either – we learned something new! 🙂
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oh yeah!
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Sorry, have never known much about Mardi Gras! My typing is not good dear Terry! xx
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No problem Lynn – hope you are having a great day. 🙂
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Thanks you to0
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All I know is that it is a party, therefore your post was interesting. I dug out my snow shovels this morning again and shoveled the driveway. I keep hoping snow is over with and it keeps surprising me. Only minus 5 this morning so definitely improved and the sunshine on the snow looks gorgeous. Snowboarding Thursday for my son should be heavenly. I am thinking though I would rather be watching the sunset at Lido beach Florida.
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I don’t envy you David, I am not a cold weather person, but the shoveling is good exercise. It will be around 80 degrees here today with some sun – hang in there, Spring is around the corner. 🙂
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Beautiful surroundings – and peaceful! Thank you for sharing David.
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Fascinating history of Mardi Gras in the southern USA. Thanks so much for all your research.
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You are welcome, I found it interesting also. Happy Day Peggy. 🙂
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Interesting information on Mardi Gras. I’ve not really celebrated it except for the Mardi Gras potlucks we would have complete with a King Cake. One of my colleagues was from New Orleans and she schooled us on a few of the finer points of Mardi Gras.
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Back in Texas I attended a party every year for Mardi Gras, nothing too exciting – the hosts always had the King Cake. Thanks Step for stopping by today, I hope all is well with you. 🙂
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I’d never seen a King Cake until a few years ago. Has anyone ever choked on the King? I couldn’t help but wonder when I saw how small it was. I hope you are feeling well.🙂
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LOL, as far as I know, no choking – I am feeling better with each day – thanks Steph.
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💗
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We don’t but I learned a lot about it when we visited New Orleans.
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I was amazed at the importance of it in this area. One of these days I will make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Thanks Jodi! 🙂
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I’ve never really celebrated Mardi Gras except to attend a Mardi Gras party here and again over the years. I did go to New Orleans during Mardi Gras when I was 11 years old, and kept the beads from the parades well into my adult-hood. But my family did practice Lent, but no Mardi Gras events so to speak except that one family vacation.
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I guess it must be very popular here in the South as I indicated in Dallas there were no parades or celebrations. Thanks Kathryn, I always appreciate you stopping by to read and comment. 🙂
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Mardi Gras is amazing. I am adding my wish to Osyth’s that next year finds you and Gary on Bourbon Street.
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LOL, Bourbon Street it is! Thanks Bernadette, have a happy Wednesday! 🙂
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Fascinating information! My husband grew up in New Orleans but never learned the origins of this celebration.
Wherever you are next year, Terry, I am sure you will smile and enjoy the day in good health!
Blessings,
Dolly
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Thanks Dolly, glad you enjoyed the post. And I think New Orleans hosts the most popular Mardi Gras celebrations. I appreciate your always nice comments, Happy Wednesday. 🙂
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Yes, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is famous, but it’s also way too crazy.
Happy Wednesday to you, too, Terry!
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We don’t celebrate Mardi Gras, and this is all new information to me. Thanks, Terry
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Something new you have learned Derrick – hope you enjoyed the post. Have a great day my friend. 🙂
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On my bucket list, Mardi Gras, but now maybe it will be in Mobile…..thanks for the great history lesson….I love what I can learn on here……kat
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I was amazed at the involvement that Mobil takes place with Mardi Gras. They had 4 parades just yesterday and the weather was great for it. The few tall buildings they have downtown also were lit in green, gold and purple lights. Maybe next year I will have the opportunity to watch a few parades. Thanks kat, learning something new is good for all of us. Happy Wednesday. 🙂
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NO! LOL.
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Many people do not – I never did – still don’t. Who knows, maybe next year? Thanks Laurel! 🙂
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I’ve been there and wondered why anybody would go there on purpose. LOL (may have been who I was with) 😞
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This is WAY different than what I heard… lol. I went to a Mardi Gras Parade (in Pensacola, a billion years ago) and was shocked no one would throw me beads… it seems I was required to lift my shirt to get beads?
Made it even funnier a few years later when my Mexican-American friend’s grandmother went to mardi gras EVERY year… and came back with TONS of beads.
LMAO.
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I did not attend the Pensacola parade, so unsure if the beads are thrown or not, I assume they are. Maybe next year I will attend if I am still in this location. Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂
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