If you are thinking of Mardi Gras, New Orleans is the place to be. The extended weekend (From the 5th to the 9th) prior to the Mardi Gras is the perfect time to visit the city.
With popular events and parades such as Rex, Zulu, Bacchus and Endymion, you can get ready to have a memorable holiday.
About Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, is the concluding day of the season of Carnival and falls a day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Family Gras will continue from Friday, 29th January through Sunday, 31st January. If you are planning a long holiday, you can book your flights for the 29th to join the festivities in the suburb of Metairie. There will be various outdoor concerts by both local and national artists.
Performances
The Family Gras Celebration will take place in the neutral grounds across the Lakeside Shopping Center in the Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie. Since it is a free celebration, you don’t have to buy any tickets to attend. In the past, various famous musicians and performers have performed at the event, including the Four Seasons, Frankie Valli, The Drifters, Jessy McCartney, Montgomery Gentry, Wilson Phillips, Blood Sweat & Tears, Cowboy Mouth, Amanda Shaw and the members of the Electric Light Orchestra. So, rest assured that it is going to be a fun-filled musical celebration this year too. There are various regional and local artists, who set up their stalls in the art market from where you can buy brilliant works throughout the period of the festival.
Food
How can we forget food in a celebration? Of course we haven’t, as various vendors at the Flambeau Food Court would be preparing excellent specialties of Louisiana, such as gator-on-a-stick, pizza, muffulettas, crawfish pasta, jambalaya and much more! You can also buy delicious desserts such as the king cake and bread pudding. If you are a food-fanatic and would like to spend a great time tasting various local delicacies, you can buy the Royal Pass for $99. The Royal Pass would give you the privilege to access the VIP food and beverage tent, comfort station, and also access to the premium stage viewing among other things.
