Why is Mardi Gras celebrated in Louisiana?

Answer 1

Mardi Gras was brought to Louisiana by early French settlers. The first record of the holiday being celebrated in Louisiana is 1699. During Mardi Gras of 1857 the Mistick Krewe of Comus held its first parade. Comus is the oldest active Mardi Gras organization and started a number of continuing traditions such as the use of floats in parades. In 1875 Mardi Gras was declared a legal holiday by the state of Louisiana. War, economic, political, and weather conditions sometimes led to cancellation of some or all major parades, but celebration of Carnival has always been observed in New Orleans. In 1979 the New Orleans police department went on strike. All the official parades were canceled or moved to surrounding communities. Fewer tourists than usual came to the city. Masking, costuming, and celebrations continued anyway. National Guardsmen prevented crimes against persons or property but made no attempt to enforce laws regulating morality or drug use. For these reasons, some in the French Quarter community are fond of calling 1979 the city's best Mardi Gras ever. The effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 definitely had an impact on Mardi Gras. Most of the locals who worked on the floats and rode on them were significantly impacted by the storm's aftermath. Many had lost most or all of the possessions in their homes, but enthusiasm for Carnival was even more intense as an affirmation of life. The themes of many costumes and floats had more barbed satire, with commentary on the trials and tribulations of living in the devastated city. There were mocking references made to MREs, FEMA trailers, Katrina refrigerators, FEMA, local, and national politicians. In the last decade of the 20th century, commercial videos helped encourage a tradition of females baring breasts in exchange for beads and trinkets. During Mardi Gras, women showing their breasts is documented since 1889, when the Times-Democrat decried the "degree of immodesty exhibited by nearly all female masqueraders seen on the streets." The practice was mostly limited to tourists in the upper Bourbon Street area. Until recent years, New Orleans police tolerated women flashing their breasts in the French Quarter if the display did not cause public disruption, but would arrest people for more explicit nudity, particularly "below the waist". In the last couple of years, police have been cracking down on such actions, reasoning that flashing can incite acts of indecency against women who expose themselves. Outside of the French Quarter, attitudes are much less lenient. While many visiting tourists think of Mardi Gras as an "adult" holiday, for most local residents it is a time of family traditions. Many view the parades mainly as sources of enjoyment for children. Parents with young children gather along the parade routes Uptown and in Mid City.

Answer 2

they eat alot of food before they fast for 40 weekdays froms ash Wednesday to Easter

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