Compare Fat Tuesday of 1941 to that of today. Some things change, but the essentials remain the same.
New Orleans Mardi Gras 1941 in color
January 11, 2008
Mardi Gras FAQ – NOLA.com. Everything the visitor needs to know.
Image courtesy of Ted Jackson via http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/lundi_gras_3.html.
“A rider hands out a prized throw, a gold painted coconut as Zulu rolls down St. Charles and Canal Street on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.”
Image courtesy of Eliot Kamenitz, The Times-Picayune on February 16, 2010 via http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/zulu_parade_6.html.
“A Zulu rider hands a coconut to a fan. Early Mardi Gras Day feature photos on St. Charles Av. near the Rex reviewing stand outside the Intercontinental Hotel (bands, marching clubs, maskers, etc) and parade of Zulu and Rex and the toast of His Majesty Rex, R. Hunter Pierson Jr. and the Queen of Carnival, Katherine Saer Duncan.”
Image courtesy of Ellis Lucia, The Times-Picayune on February 16, 2010 via http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/zulu_2010_7.html.
“R. Hunter Pierson, Jr. as this year’s Rex toasts the crowds on St. Charles Avenue near Canal Street as New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.”
Image courtesy of Eliot Kamenitz, The Times-Picayune via http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/rex_parade_14.html.
“The Rex Jester float rolls down Canal Street at Royal street as the krewe celebrates Mardi Gras with thousands of revelers on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.”
Image courtesy of Eliot Kamenitz, The Times-Picayune via http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/rex_parade_19.html.
“The Jester rolls down St. Charles Ave Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010.”
Image courtesy of David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune via http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/oh_what_a_day_5.html.
“Mondo Kayo marches down St. Charles Ave. Early Mardi Gras Day feature photos on St. Charles Av. near the Rex reviewing stand outside the Intercontinental Hotel (bands, marching clubs, maskers, etc) and parade of Zulu and Rex and the toast of His Majesty Rex, R. Hunter Pierson Jr. and the Queen of Carnival, Katherine Saer Duncan.”
Image courtesy of http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2010/02/mardi_gras_day_2010_7.html.
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Pingback: Mardi Gras 1956 « Mcnorman's Weblog
I was just over at Mcnormans and saw her video from the early 50′s. I just love seeing the “simpler days” when girls weren’t running around with their shirts up and boobs exposed. Really…not a pleasant sight for ALL to see.
McNorman sent me over! What fun! ANd people actaully- omg- dressed- no full frontal nudity!
Look at all the patriotic bunting!
Mardi gras. It really is A TON of fun! Some of it makes sense, and a lot does not, but since it is all in the spirit of good fun, everyone should just enjoy it thoroughly.
The flashing is pretty much a thing of the Quarter. You don’t really see much (if at all?) in the neighborhoods. The provacative outfits, costumes, and lewd and outlandish behavior is common to the French Quarter, Canal Street, and downtown N.O. The folks in the neighborhoods are just the neighbors and their friends and families. They don’t want themselves or their kids exposed to it, so you don’t really see it in those parts. There definitely is a lot of drinking, eating, picnics, BBQ, and general merriment all over though. Even at 8 in the morning. Come midnight, the whole town shuts down when the sheriff goes out to proclaim Mardi Gras is over. Everyone goes inside, and the place actually becomes quiet. Outside.