“Laissez les bons temps rouler” is a Cajun French saying that means “let the good times roll.”
Mardi Gras 2024 occurred on Tuesday, February 13. Mardi Gras is also frequently called “Fat Tuesday” It is the Tuesday before the start of Lent in the Christian tradition. This tradition is a very old one starting in pagan times that included many celebrations to look forward to Spring from the dark days of winter. The time period from Epiphany (arrival of the Wise Men to visit Christ) to the start of Lent is also known as the time of Carnival. A time of celebrating and visiting with friends and family during winter before the long days of work of Spring and Summer.
The word, Carnival comes from Latin meaning to remove meat or lack of meat during the long winter. Traditionally, during the Mardi Gras/Carnival season, people celebrate and eat up the winter stores of rich foods and stored meats. During this time, people may bake King cakes which are a rich coffee cake sprinkled with green, purple and yellow sugars which represent justice, faith and power that come with the arrival of Christ- the King of Kings.
The most well- known MardiGrascelebrationoccurs each year in New Orleans with the state of Louisiana declaring Mardi Gras as a state holiday. Different family or organization groups called krewes create elaborate parade floats and throw beads and other small toys to the crowds lining the streets. Many parties with tasty foods occur throughout the city.