Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street

Historical narrative

Nothing speaks New Orleans louder than Mardi Gras, or Carnival. Mardi Gras is woven into the very soul of New Orleans. French colonists brought Carnival traditions to Louisiana, with celebrations taking root in New Orleans during the colonial era. By 1857, the Mistick Krewe of Comus introduced organized parades and elaborate floats, helping establish traditions that would eventually make Mardi Gras famous worldwide. At the heart of the celebration is the French Quarter, New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood, where centuries of French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Creole influences come together amid graceful balconies, historic buildings, music, food, and lively streets. And then there’s Bourbon Street—colorful, exuberant, and unforgettable. During Carnival, crowds gather beneath its balconies to catch beads and other throws, while music, costumes, and revelry fill the street. For visitors, New Orleans offers something wonderfully rare: history that still knows how to celebrate.

Oil

© Stephen B. Hales — All Rights Reserved