Become Familiar with the Rich and Colorful History of Mardi Gras

It’s February and it is almost that time of year again! We are only days away from the festivities and celebrations that come with Mardi Gras. This year Mardi Gras falls on February 17. With the holiday quickly approaching, this is the perfect time to learn a little bit about the history of the festival and New Orleans.

Mardi Gras is the last day of the Carnival season and falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. While the rich history of Mardi Gras can be traced back to medieval Europe, it was later brought to America by French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville. In 1699 he discovered a plot of ground 60 miles south of New Orleans and named it “Pointe du Mardi Gras,” as he discovered this location on the eve of the holiday. Later, the very first Mardi Gras festival in America was celebrated in Mobile, Louisianna in 1703. In 1718, Bienville established New Orleans and by the 1730’s Mardi Gras was openly celebrated here. While the original celebrations did not consist of the parades and festivities we are familiar with, they did include elegant balls. By the late 1830’s these celebrations evolved into street processions of maskers and carriages. You can find this information and more about Mardi Gras and its colorful history at MardiGrasNewOrleans.com.

With Mardi Gras only 14 days away, it is the perfect time to bring a little bit of New Orleans to your home. From now until February 20, 2015, we are offering free shipping on orders. So, spice things up a little bit with a New Orleans hot sauce or with some unique cajun spices and seasoning. Just because you’re not in New Orleans for Mardi Gras doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate like you are! Give our entree mixes and sauces a try and get in the festival spirit.