Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) is tomorrow. If you've been along the Gulf Coast, in Mobile, Bay St. Louis, Lake Charles or New Orleans in particular during this season, then you've probably caught a ton of beads, Moonpies and toys, attended a parade or two and had more than one serving of King Cake recently. While I know that some connotations of Mardi Gras are not so positive, I also know that there are plenty of family-friendly events, if you look for them.
In January and again in November of 2019, I visited a couple of Mardi Gras museums, and I have to say that I LOVE the colors, the patterns, the intricacies and the techniques involved in making the wonderful costumes associated with the season. The first was at the Visitors Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, a town that has been rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina, and the second was in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Lake Charles museum is said to house the largest display of Mardi Gras costumes in the world. Both are a lot of fun to visit and photograph.
Just in case you haven't been able to see a parade in person this year, I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the photos I made in the museums. Imagine the hours that were required to make these costumes. Envision how heavy the headdresses must have been as the wearers rode in the parade. Appreciate the skill and creativity required. But, most of all, enjoy the vibrant colors.
BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA
On Ash Wednesday, the revelry ends and 40 days of Lent begin. These are such interesting traditions observed in many countries around the world.
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