The celebration of Mardi Gras originated from medieval times in Europe, when celebrants anticipating periods of fasting associated with Lent held raucous celebrations the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans since 1718. On Mardi Gras in New Orleans, schools, government offices, and businesses close. The streets are jammed with parades and costumed and masked people, and are littered with plastic drink cups and dropped Mardi Gras beads and throws.
Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans, as well as some other cities in Louisiana and Alabama. Louisiana law protects those carnival clubs or “krewes” that entertain the public with their beautiful parades. For example, under La. R.S. 9:2796, no person may bring a cause of action against any krewe or organization which presents Mardi Gras parades for damage which occurs during the parade, unless such damage was caused deliberately or by gross negligence. In addition, a person attending an organized parade “assumes the risk of being struck by any missile whatsoever” which is thrown by a parade participant or float rider. La. R.S. 9:2796(B). Also, anyone throwing something back at parade floats or participants can be fined $250. Finally, contrary to popular belief, it is illegal to be naked or for women to be topless on Mardi Gras.
From Taggart Morton, Happy Mardi Gras, and “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”
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