MARDI GRAS ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND TEACHERS


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WHAT IS MARDI GRAS (MAHR dee GRAH)?

Mardi Gras is actually Fat Tuesday in French. It is the day before Lent begins Ash Wednesday. Lent is the forty days of fasting prior to Easter Sunday. Mardi Gras is also called "Carnival" sometimes.

WHO INTRODUCED MARDI GRAS TO NORTH AMERICA?

A French explorer named Pierre le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville, first introduced Mardi Gras to North America in 1699. He camped by the Mississippi River and he named the spot he camped, Point du Mardi Gras. This custom soon became very popular in New Orleans, Louisiana and in several other Southern States like Alabama and Florida. The largest Mardi Gras celebration is probably in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, the most spectacular would be in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States.

WHEN IS MARDI GRAS?

Mardi Gras falls on Fat Tuesday. It is 46 days before Easter and since the actual date of Easter changes yearly, Mardi Gras can be on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9 Mardi Gras is a holiday in New Orleans.

In French :

  • Gras = Fat
  • Mardi = Tuesday

    However, the carnival season begins on January 6 or the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings went to visit baby Jesus.

    Mardi Gras Dates:

  • 2011 March 8
  • 2012 February 21
  • 2013 February 12
  • 2014 March 4
  • 2015 February 17
  • 2016 February 9
  • 2017 February 28
  • 2018 February 13
  • 2019 March 5
  • 2020 February 25
  • 2021 February 16
  • 2022 March 1
  • 2023 February 21
  • 2024 February 13

    WHEN WAS THE FIRST MARDI GRAS PROCESSION?

    A group called the Mystik Krewe of Comus, organized the first modern kind of parade in 1857. The themes for the floats were mythology and literature and lit up by torches. Later on, more societies or krewes sprung up, adding more floats and balls to the parade.

  • Krewe of Rex (all male krewe)
  • Krewe of Bacchus
  • Mardi Gras Lingo
  • Krewe of Pegasus
  • Krewe of Zulu
  • Knights of Babylon
  • Krewe of Endymion
  • Krewe of Little Rascals

    During the carnival season, people parade in masks and fancy dresses/mardi gras costumes. Mardi Gras climaxes the carnival with a parade of floats and marching bands. The riders on the floats throw coins, toys and necklaces called doubloons to the onlookers. The festivities for each year has a theme. The spectacular parades attract a lot of tourists every year.

    WHAT ARE THE COLORS OF MARDI GRAS?

  • Purple for Justice
  • Green for Faith
  • Gold for Power


    MARDI GRAS PRINTABLES
    Mardi Gras worksheets, coloring and printables


    MARDI GRAS CRAFTS AND ART IDEAS FOR KIDS
    Simple Mardi Gras crafts for kids


    MARDI GRAS LESSONPLANS
    A collection of Mardi Gras lesson plans

    MARDI GRAS CLIPARTS


    Mardi Gras Clipart and Graphics collection


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