Every year while we suffer through single digit weather in Connecticut in February, people from all over flock to the warm temperatures and lively celebrations during the long weekend before the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans that takes place from February 13-17.
While many know Mardi Gras from stories that the media has shown about people who go as an excuse to drink for a week straight, residents say that it actually began as a tradition where families would go for free entertainment, according to Judy Weitz, a fifth generation New Orleanian that defended her city from the media’s coverage of the partying over the culture during Mardi Gras. (Her comments are posted on the official Mardi Gras website.) This parade was meant to show the world a snapshot of the melting pot of cultures from the French, Spanish and Canadians that landed in New Orleans during the 17th and 18th centuries, according to the Mardi Gras website.
Many spectators that have been following Mardi Gras over the years from various news outlets, by word of mouth and from experience, have commented on the official Mardi Gras website under the history and traditions tab inquiring about certain practices, such as flashing for beads, and asking how this became a tradition. The writers of the website responded by saying that these practices are not Mardi Gras traditions but behaviors that have been overblown. The Mardi Gras website wrote that what they consider the true traditions to be are wearing costumes and beads of purple, green and gold, having picnics, playing music, and enjoying family.
Many students from all over travel to New Orleans for a short winter getaway to experience the culture and festivities that New Orleans has to offer, including UConn sophomore Rachel Gabriel who spent four days at Mardi Gras last week. These photos are all documentation of her stay.
All photos are courtesy of Rachel Gabriel.