Mardi Gras in New Orleans

It is celebrated people around the world, but the most

colorful performances take place in New Orleans. For the first time in this city had its French settlers in 1699. This holiday can be considered analogous to the carnival. The last day of Mardi Gras is the "Fat Tuesday". “Fat Tuesday” is a celebration of Carnival, the eve of Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.

French Quarter of the city. But eventually spread to other

parts of New Orleans. According to legend, in 1872 in the Mardi Gras was a Russian prince and Alexei Romanov, who came to New Orleans for his beloved, American actress Lydia Thompson.

Upon learning that the carnival visit lady of royal blood, the organizers made a special platform with the inscription «Rex» (King), making Romanov King holiday. Since then, a mandatory part of the festival is a platform with a king or queen.

mischievous, bright festival. On the day of Mardi Gras people

take to the streets in colorful costumes, drink, eat and do not think about work. In response to the traditional cries excited crowd "Throw us something!" They throw large pewter coins, plastic beads and other trinkets

attention