Happy Lundi Gras

Happy Lundi Gras! Right, I wrote "Lundi Gras", not Mardi Gras. The day before Mardi Gras is Lundi Gras, a largely unknown event outside of New Orleans. It's the err..mild warm up to hot Mardi Gras day, sort of like a baseball pitcher warming up in the bullpen before pitching. I shall mention a few things about Lundi Gras today.

It is a day of symbolism, capped off with the kings of the two biggest Mardi Gras day parades. Rex, the king of Carnival arrives on the river by boat and meets with the King of Zulu. They are greeted by the mayor of New Orleans who reads a proclamation. It becomes official that Rex rules over New Orleans for the next day and everyone is ordered to have fun. It's quite a ceremony with jazz , foods, dancing etc. Lundi Gras live music concert stages are set up on the Mississippi river in the Riverwalk and fireworks are shoot that night. Everything except the food is free to the public.

In my suburban parish we also have a similar Lundi Gras event along the Mississippi River and a huge parade here that night as well. These events are historic in the late 1800's but evaporated and were re started in the 1970's in order to liven up what had become a dull day before Mardi Gras. By Lundi Gras the city is also overflowing with people and the French Quarter area has been a mob scene every night for several nights before Lundi Gras.
Quite a few maskers show off their costumes on Lundi Gras. It reminds tourists to bring their cameras Mardi Gras day when costumes are more widely worn.

For me costuming is the best part of Carnival. It not only is great to look at but costumes give energy and enthusiasm to carnival. They are the WOW factor to Mardi Gras and add emotional appeal such as humor to Mardi Gras. Without masking and costumes Mardi Gras is just another big crowd of people milling about. I think the costumes are what most people most remember about the festivities.

Happy Lundi Gras!