Mardi Gras, or Carnival, is a holiday celebrated in many countries, bringing together people of all races and religion. Louisiana is the heart of this celebration. Mardi Gras is traditionally the last day of indulgences before the 40 days of Lent.
There is always something fun happening in the south during the Mardi Gras season. For example, in Metairie, each year there is a three-day carnival called Family Gras that includes free concerts and other family entertainment.
What most people might not know is that Mardi Gras has not always been celebrated in Louisiana.
The first Mardi Gras celebration occurred on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Iberville and Bienville landed just south of what would later become New Orleans. The first celebrations held here were small gatherings in comparison to today’s Carnival season.
After the Spanish gained control of the Louisiana territory, Mardi Gras was not celebrated again until Louisiana officially became a state in 1812.
Since then, Mardi Gras has evolved into a key element that sets Louisiana culture apart from everywhere else.
Many Southeastern students plan to go home for the break to celebrate Mardi Gras with family and friends.
Jeremy Balint, a freshman kinesiology major, is no stranger to the spirit of Mardi Gras. Balint is from New Orleans and plans to return home for the Mardi Gras break.
“Usually for Mardi Gras, I go to my Me-Me’s house,” said Balint. “I have a very extended family with lots of cousins. She lives on Bonabel near Metairie, and we all catch a few parades there. It’s fun picking up the cousins and helping them get stuffed animals and catch beads. It’s usually a big gathering, an all day event.”
Balint said that he has been to many different places to celebrate Mardi Gras. He has been to parades in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and at Disney World in Florida, but he finds the festivities in south Louisiana the best.
“New Orleans is the best, not only because of the party atmosphere, but also because most of my family lives there,” said Balint.
Although New Orleans parades may be the best, there is a closer option for students wanting to experience Mardi Gras in the local area.
In Hammond, the Krewe of Omega has delighted Tangipahoa residents for 26 years. Founded in 1986 by a Southeastern fraternity, the Krewe of Omega carries on the tradition of their annual parade this year on Friday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. This year the parade will have a board game theme, and the floats will be decorated with dice and game piece motifs. The parade will be led by King and Queen Omega XXVI, John and Joan Guzzardo of Hammond.
Whether remaining in the area or going to celebrate somewhere else, an important element of Mardi Gras is taking a break from work and having fun.
Emma Lapeyrouse, a freshman majoring in communication sciences and disorders, looks forward to the break for several reasons. Lapeyrouse, a Houma native, has marched in three out of eight parades in her hometown each Mardi Gras season with her high school’s marching band.
“I’m super excited for Mardi Gras this year because for the first time in five years I get to spend the entire break with my family celebrating a fun time of watching parades and just enjoying the spirit of Mardi Gras,” said Lapeyrouse. “I get to eat good food that comes with Mardi Gras like boiled crawfish and just spend quality time with my family.”
Mardi Gras can best be described as a celebration of life with the best people, the best food and the best music in the country. Laissez les bonne temps roulez!
For additional information on the Krewe, go to www.kreweofomega.org. Anyone over eighteen and wishing to join the Krewe of Omega can contact them at Captain@kreweofomega.org.
For more interesting facts and history of Mardi Gras check out www.history.com.
Parade Route for the Krewe of Omega:
– Parade assembles at the University Center (Departs at 6:30 p.m.)
– South on General
Pershing to Dakota
– Left on Dakota to Oak Street
– Right on Oak Street, right on Charles, left on Magnolia to West Thomas
– Left on Thomas (against the one-way) to Railroad Avenue
– Left on Railroad Avenue, to Oak and back to the
assembly point