Celebrate Lundi Gras Or Fat Monday The Day Before Mardi Gras

If the culmination of parades and celebrations wasn't enough on Mardi Gras Day, you'll also
have fun if you're in new Orleans the day before, which is Lundi Gras, or Fat Monday, as it's also called. For 2017 it will fall on February 27.

The tradition revolves around Rex, the King Of Carnival arriving in the city by boat. Lots
of river themed events take place as well. The Social Aid and Pleasure Club Zulu will be hosting their Zulu Lundi Gras Festival. It runs all day and is free to the public. Woldenberg Park near the river is the location and is scheduled to start at 10AM. 


Another annual celebration is held at Riverwalk Marketplace. They host Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza with Rex coming in at 6PM. They'll also have fireworks on the Mississippi Rivera and entertainers.

Lundi Gras is the day before Mardi Gras, so make sure to check out the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the last day of the Carnival season. 

Photo credit: Nola.com

Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for stopping by.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Everyday At Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World

Ever want to see where a lot of the action begins for the amazing Mardi Gras parades? It starts with the parade floats! Since 1984 Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World has offered tours of their warehouse where you can even watch some of the artists working.

Blaine Kern Studios has actually been creating the imaginative floats and props for New Orleans Mardi Gras parades since 1947. They also make them for Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Universal Studios in Florida, Toho Park in Japan as well as amusement parks and casinos worldwide.

The space is part museum and part art studio. Many of the the floats are stored here from the New Orleans celebrations and may be re-used and updated. Costumes and figures are also available to view. You're offered and up close and personal look at how they make all the magic happen.

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, LA 70114, you can visit their website at: http://www.mardigrasworld.com

Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2016!

Hey, Happy Mardi Gras 2016! Check out the live stream for the Mardi Gras parades and floats for the big day. This is it, starting with the Krewe of Zulu, who's celebrating 100 years of incorporation with new floats,  through the Krewe of Crescent City in New Orleans. 

New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations

Check it out, have fun!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Your First Mardi Gras Celebration? Then Make Sure You Read This

Taking precautions always makes sense whenever you plan to attend a parade or other public street fair and Mardi Gras is no exception.

People from all over the world converge on the city of New Orleans throughout the Carnival season, but the last few days counting down to Fat Tuesday are particularly crowded. 

If this is your first time taking part in the Big Easy's massive party or even if you're a Mardi Gras veteran, here are a few things to keep in mind. These 5 tips will help you enjoy the festivities even more:


1. Get an early start
Plan to arrive at parade routes near the beginning of where the krewes will be starting out. When I say early, I mean at least 3 hours. Crowds will swell up quickly and you want to make sure you'll be able to see the floats and be close enough to catch the throws.

2. Dress the part
When I say pay attention to what you're wearing I don't mean just your costume. Check the weather prior to leaving since it can vary this time of year. Plan on layering your clothing; it can be warm, cold, rainy or sunny. 

3. Have a game plan for meals
While you're on the parade route it'll be difficult to get food since restaurants will be incredibly crowded. You may be able to find vendors that have snacks, but don't count on it. Pack your own lunch and try to keep your bag as light as possible, it will be a very long day. Besides you'll need room for the beads and throws you're going to catch!

4. Forget about driving
Don't be concerned about trying to drive anywhere during the Mardi gras weekend. The entire 
French Quarter is closed off for vehicle traffic unless you're driving a float or your car is in the parade with a krewe. Cabs will be difficult to find as well so plan a walking path from your hotel to the parade route.


5. French Quarter is NOT for kids during Mardi Gras
Stay on the parade route areas in Mid-City, Uptown, Central Business District and other areas of the city if you're coming to enjoy Mardi Gras with children. The out of control, risque behavior that gets all the media attention happens in the French Quarter, particularly on Bourbon Street. There are no parades in that area and that's the main reason you came! Most of the Mardi Gras celebrations are family friendly, so no worries if you keep to where the floats travel. 


Hope this helps, if you have any questions or want to add tips from your own Mardi Gras experiences feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading.

*** Want more travel tips? Click here for my post on catching beads and click here for the one on solo travel during Mardi Gras. And most of all, have fun! Yeaaah!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

2016 Is The 20th Anniversary Of The Krewe Of Oshun

The Mardi Gras parades are rolling! Today, Friday, January 29 the Krewe Of Oshun will parade in the Uptown section of New Orleans starting at 6:00PM. This year also marks the krewe's 20th annivarsary!

This year's theme is called It's a Sea of Beauty. It's all about everything beneath the sea. Floats will reflect the ocean including sea horses, oysters and more. Throws will include peacock themed krewe bracelets and fans as well as beads. Also the New Orleans Marching Baby Dolls will be featured in the parade.

This krewe is run by African American women; it's named after the Yoruba goddess of beauty and love with their symbol being the peacock. Oshun also represents fountains and wealth to people throughout the African diaspora particularly Brazil, Cuba and Haiti.

The organization was founded in 1996, providing community service and entertainment throughout the year.

Click here to check out their schedule.
Photo credit: Sabree Hill - UptownMessenger.com

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Parades For 2016

The party is ON folks! Just because Mardi Gras Day falls on February 9, 2016 this year doesn't mean you have to wait until next month to start enjoying the festivities.

Krewes have been rolling their colorful floats and throwing trinkets not only around the French Quarter, but they'll also be appearing Uptown, near the Garden District as well as Marigny and Mid City. Some will also parade outside of the city in areas like Metairie. 

For a full schedule of all of the parades including maps and krewes' estimated start time, click here.

Feel free to post comments below, thanks for stopping by!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Celebrate The King Cake Festival On January 31

Well, you've probably figured out by now that residents of New Orleans will come up with almost any reason at all to start a celebration.

If you missed it last year, you'll have another chance to participate in the second annual King Cake Festival this month, January 31. Revel in many the versions of this traditional Mardi Gras baked treat. 

This is a family friendly event so you can bring the children, they even have a kid's zone. If you get a wristband for $10 it includes beverages, prizes and more. It's actually a benefit for babies and children at Oschner Hospital.

The festival is free and runs from 11AM to 5PM and will be held on LaSalle Street in Champion Square. You can also get unlimited snacks and open bar for $60 as a VIP Club Member. OF COURSE there will be live music, after all this is New Orleans!

If you don't know anything about the King Cake click here to check out my previous post.

Thanks for visiting!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

5 Ways You Can Be A Mardi Gras Star And Ride A Parade Float

It's a lot of fun to yell "Throw me something mister!" in the streets of New Orleans during
Mardi Gras to get the krewe members to hurl some beads at you. But have you ever thought about actually being a part of the action and riding on a parade float while throwing trinkets to the adoring crowds in your costume? 

Well there's a few ways you can do just that. One easy way to participate is to go through New Orleans Craigslist postings and look for krewe members advertising space available on their float. 

I've seen an ad that says they provide a costume, food and drinks included in the fee. Did a search for Mardi Gras in Community to find listings. 

Click here to view this link that covers 4 more ways to be part of the Mardi Gras parade experience.
Photo credit: Carol M. Highsmith

Let me know what you think of this post. You can post comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Like My Facebook Fan Page The Mardi Gras Girl

Created a Facebook Fan Page called The Mardi Gras Girl...what else? Will not only have additional Mardi Gras pictures and updates but also posting more music videos.

So if you'd like to see and hear the artists who are playing the blues, jazz and zydeco music that make up the Carnival and New Orleans sound like Kermit Ruffins, Treme Brass Band, Glen David Andrews and more, make sure to visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheMardiGrasGirl

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Day 2016 Is On February 9

Well people, Mardi Gras 2016 will be here before you know it. Next year it falls on Tuesday, February 9.

Make sure you don't wait until the last minute to visit New Orleans for the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the LAST day of the Carnival Season. The next day is Ash Wednesday and folks will either be in church repenting for what they've done, hungover or asleep!

The best time to arrive is about 2 weeks prior to the big day. That's when a lot of the parades will be running throughout the city. You'll be able to see them in the French Quarter, Uptown New Orleans as well as near the Garden District on St. Charles Avenue. 

Stay tuned for more updates. Feel free to post comments below and thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Hey The Mardi Gras Girl Is Baaaaack!

Hi folks, my apologies that I've been away so long, but well, life happens. Anyway I'll be posting regularly again. Please feel free to comment and let me know what Mardi Gras related topics you'd like to see covered here.

One topic I do plan on having more posts on is music, since I love the sound of New Orleans. I've started with one of the native musicians Glen David Andrews. Click here to check out my previous post featuring him as well as a video of one of his live performances.

Will also be reviewing some of the traditional brass bands like the Rebirth and Treme Brass Bands.

So glad to have you back if you're a loyal follower, if you're a new visitor welcome to my little world, lol!



Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2014!

Despite the scene in this picture it's actually a little cool and wet in New Orleans this morning, but you better believe the party will NOT stop!

Check out the live coverage through the video below and stay tuned for more Mardi Gras updates!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl



New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations

Mardi Gras Open House At The Backstreet Cultural Museum And See The Skull And Bone Gangs

The ongoing tradition on the morning of Mardi Gras Day is the Open House at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Treme section of New Orleans, right outside of the French Quarter.

This is where you can get a look up close and personal of the Mardi Gras tribes in their new suits, carefully handcrafted over the last year. 

Also the Open House starts off at 8AM with "Breakfast With The Bone Gang" celebrating one of the many New Orleans traditions, they date back to the 1800's. The Skull and Bone Gangs, dressed in costumes resembling skeletons, go around very early in the neighborhood on Mardi Gras Day and tell children to live right or the spirits may come and get them soon. They remind us all to live for the moment and enjoy each day we are blessed with. 

Click here to check out my previous post about the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Thanks for reading, Happy Mardi Gras!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl