Traditions
These are typically worn by carnival goers, and have become recognizable decorations related to the celebration
Masks
What country's settlers brought Mardi Gras to the US?
France
A traditional cake dessert made especially for Mardi Gras
What is a King Cake?
Mardi Gras is celebrated on the Tuesday before the start of what religious season?
Lent
What city, famous for this, holds the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the US?
New Orleans
What does "Mardi Gras" mean, in English?
Fat Tuesday
New Orleans is in what US state?
Louisiana
Why do people traditionally wear masks during Mardi Gras?
to feel free from the judgement of others
What year was Mardi Gras first celebrated in the US?
- 1699 - 1799 - 1899
1699
A savory Cajun dish of rice and meat, cooked with vegetables, stock, and spices
What is Jambalaya?
What religious holiday is always the day after Mardi Gras?
Ash Wednesday
What is Mardi Gras called in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada?
Shrove Tuesday
What are the 3 colors of Mardi Gras?
Purple, Green, and Gold
What music genre is a part of New Orleans culture?
Jazz
These items are thrown from parade floats
Beads & gold doubloons
When was the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade?
- 1777 - 1837 - 1897
1837
A deep-fried pastry made from yeast dough and covered in powdered sugar
What is a Beignet?
What is the supposed historical reason for celebrating Mardi Gras?
To finish the food before the start of lent!
The largest Mardi Gras celebration in the world is held where?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
What does the color purple represent?
Justice
On average, about how many people visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras each year?
1.4 Million!
This item is put inside of the King cake
A plastic baby
Mardi Gras became a legal holiday in New Orleans in what year?
- 1850 -1900 -1875
1875
A Creole or Cajun stew consisting of stock, meat or shellfish, celery, bell peppers, and onions, and a thickener
What is Gumbo?
Mardi Gras is a combination of Christian observance and the pagan holidays from what ancient culture?
Rome
What is the name of the Brazilian celebration of Mardi Gras?
Carnival
What does the color green represent?
Faith
Cajun food
What happens if you get the plastic baby in your slice of King cake?
You have luck & prosperity, and you have to make/buy next year's cake!
During the Covid 19 pandemic, what did people decorate in lieu of floats?
Their houses
This classic southern dish consists of ground corn with milk and butter and a topping of fresh crustacean seafood
What is Shrimp and Grits?
What/who does the baby in the King cake represent?
Jesus
Can you name some other states that host Mardi Gras celebrations?
Florida (Pensacola), Texas (Galveston), Mississippi (Natchez)
What does the color gold represent?
Power
Mardi Gras celebrations are centered around what famous neighborhood in New Orleans?
The French Quarter