Mardi Gras Vocabulary
What are the three colors of Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Purple, Green, and Gold/Yellow
Name a food related to Mardi Gras.
King's cake, Beignets, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Crawfish, Po' Boy sandwich
(Any of these are a correct answer).
what does "Mardi Gras" mean?
Fat Tuesday
What music genre is a part of New Orleans Culture?
Jazz Music
When does the carnival season of Mardi Gras start in New Orleans?
The day after January 6.
What events are organized for Mardi Gras?
Parades, Concerts, Masked Dances (bal masqués).
(Mentioning at least one of these is sufficient to win the points).
What seafood is gumbo traditionally made with?
Shrimp/Prawns
When was Mardi Gras this year (2025)?
March 4, 2025
What day is the TNPRC Mardi Gras parade scheduled for?
February 21, 2025
Name a country, other than the U.S., where Carnival is also celebrated.
Any one of these is a correct answer: Brazil, Spain, Italy, France
What color represents justice?
Purple
Jambalaya is most similar to what Spanish dish?
Paella
Mardi Gras takes place the day before Mercredi des Cendres which starts Lent. What does "Mercredi des Cendres" mean?
Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras is celebrated on the Tuesday before the start of _____.
Lent
What decoration do people hang on the trees throughout the city in New Orleans during Mardi Gras?
Beads
Coins are thrown from the parade floats. What are they called?
Doubloons
Traditionally, what is put inside of the King's Cake?
a small plastic baby
What year was Mardi Gras first celebrated in the United States? Is it 1699, 1971 or 2021?
1699
Mardi Gras is the last day of the festival of Carnival, or in French, Carnaval. What does Carnaval mean?
"Farewell to the flesh"
True or False: You must wear a mask if you are riding in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.
True!
The slogan of Mardi Gras is "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" What does this mean?
"Let the good times roll!"
What happens if you get the plastic baby?
You buy the next King's Cake. (This is different from the Jan. 6 galette, in which you become king or queen for a day).
Culturally/traditionally,why is Mardi Gras celebrated?
Mardi Gras is a feast before a fast. In other words, it is a time of celebration before a more serious time of Lent, a time of fasting before Easter.
What does the "Fat" symbolize in "Fat Tuesday"?
"Fat" refers to abundance, plenty and enjoyment.
What is the phrase you say for people to throw necklaces to you prom the parade floats?
"Throw me something, Mister!"