Let the Good Times Roll
This is the English translation of the French phrase Mardi Gras.
What is Fat Tuesday? This pre-Lenten holiday is marked by feasting on rich foods.
The official colors of Mardi Gras are this trio.
What are green, gold, and purple? Symbolically, green means faith, gold power, and purple justice.
This iconic New Orleans street is known for its jazz clubs and vibrant nightlife.
What is Bourbon Street? Part of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street is a year-round favorite for good food, good fun, and good music.
This small token is baked inside traditional king cakes.
What is a baby figurine? Whoever gets the slice with the baby wins good luck and must host the next party.
Made from this material, trumpets are often heard leading Mardi Gras parades in the city.
What is brass? Trumpets are part of the signature sound of jazz music.
With a name meaning “king,” this is one of the oldest Mardi Gras krewes, known for public service.
What is the Krewe of Rex? It was established in 1872 and set Mardi Gras colors and many other traditions still followed today.
Mardi Gras is always celebrated on this day of the week.
What is Tuesday? The date changes annually, but it is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Early Mardi Gras revelers wore these to hide their identity.
What are masks? Still part of celebrations today, they originally served to break social norms and boundaries, allowing rich and poor to revel equally.
New Orleans’ famous zoo is located in this large park.
What is Audubon Park? You might be able to guess that the park’s namesake is John James Audubon, the renowned naturalist known for his bird paintings.
These are deep-fried, donut-like treats served with a powdered sugar dusting, a NOLA favorite.
What are beignets? They were popularized by the Café du Monde, though many New Orleans eateries now serve the treat.
This NOLA musical legend was known by the nickname “Satchmo.”
Who is Louis Armstrong? The nickname was short for “Satchel Mouth” and celebrated his unique skill and style in trumpeting.
This symbol is typically found atop a king cake.
What is a crown? The symbol is a nod to Epiphany traditions and celebrates the three kings who visited the baby Jesus.
These wearable trinkets are sometimes thrown from Mardi Gras floats to parade-goers.
What are beads/beaded necklaces? The trinkets thrown are unique to each krewe (social groups that organize the festivities).
These are worn by Mardi Gras royalty.
What are crowns? Each parade has a king or queen, representing that parade's krewe as the festive leader.
This type of music was born in New Orleans and is closely associated with the city.
What is jazz? New Orleans, home to legends like Louis Armstrong, is called the “birthplace of jazz.”
This Creole dish is a spicy treat made with stewed sausage, chicken, or shrimp cooked with rice.
What is jambalaya? With French, Spanish, and African influences, the dish represents New Orleans’ multicultural heritage.
This lively and unique Louisiana music genre blends French, Creole, and blues and features instruments like the washboard and accordion.
What is zydeco? The name comes from a French expression for hard times, les haricots ne sont pas salés (“the beans aren’t salty”).
This name is given to the Monday before Mardi Gras.
What is Lundi Gras? “Fat Monday” is celebrated with parades and parties leading up to the big celebration on Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras marks the end of this season in New Orleans.
What is Carnival Season? This season begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and ends with Mardi Gras.
These social groups are the organizers of Mardi Gras parades, balls, and other events.
What are krewes? Pronounced crew, many of these groups are over 100 years old, and each has unique traditions.
This river runs alongside New Orleans.
What is the Mississippi? Proximity to this large, bustling river has been vital to the city’s trade, history, and culture for hundreds of years.
This New Orleans seafood stew is cooked with a thick roux base, okra, or filé powder as a thickener.
What is gumbo? Although similar to jambalaya, gumbo is cooked separately from the rice and relies on other thickening agents.
A local festival each spring celebrates this genre of music.
What is jazz? Jazz Fest, or the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, attracts fans and musicians from around the globe.
They founded the Krewe of Tucks, noted for their humorous parade floats and silly trinkets.
Who are college students? This krewe is known for giving out toilet-themed trinkets, among other zany traditions.
This is the official slogan of Mardi Gras, often heard during celebrations.
What is Laissez le bons temps rouler? The phrase means “Let the good times roll” and encapsulates the Mardi Gras spirit.
This type of large gold coin is often thrown from parade floats, representing prosperity.
What are doubloons? The tradition started with the Krewe of Rex in 1960, and collectors prize the unique tokens.
This famed church sits at the heart of Jackson Square.
What is St. Louis Cathedral? Notably, it is one of the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedrals in the nation.
These sandwiches, often featuring fried shrimp and served on long loaves of French bread, are a New Orleans staple.
What are po’ boys? The origins are sometimes debated, but they are believed to have originated during a streetcar strike.
These marching groups are often seen (and heard) accompanying floats and parades during Mardi Gras.
What are brass bands? Uniquely, many of these bands improvise the tunes they play as they are marching, lending a festive tone to their music.
King cakes originated around the 12th century in this country.
What is France? The cakes were baked in a circle to honor the route taken by the three kings.