First, we bring you a few facts about Mardi Gras:
Why did Mardi Gras start?
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday as it's also known, is the Christian feasting period before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. ... French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville arrived in what is now modern-day Mobile, Alabama on Fat Tuesday, 1699. He named the location Point du Mardi Gras and threw a little party.
What's the meaning of Mardi Gras?
An annual festival held in France on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” — meaning it is the last opportunity to eat rich food before the fast of Lent begins.
What do Mardi Gras krewes do?
A krewe is any group or organization of revelers to band together to host a Mardi Gras ball, ride on a Mardi Gras parade float and participate in social events throughout the year.
Each Krewe hurls party favors into the crowds. Floats notoriously give out "throws," which are exactly what they sound like: objects thrown into the crowd. They range from coconuts to stuffed animals or gold doubloons. Beads are the most ubiquitous throws, which are given by almost everyone. A known code of asking for throws is to shout the phrase "throw me something, mister". It's considered a great honor to receive a throw. If you shout out "moon pie" you just might get one. too!
Why do they throw at beads?
The traditional colors are purple, green, and gold. Throwing the beads from the floats became such a huge hit, all krewes adopted the practice, and Mardi Gras has never been the same. The colors of the beads hold more significance than the act of throwing them. The Purple represents justice, the Green symbolizes faith and the Gold exemplifies power.
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler: is a Cajun French saying that means “let the good times roll.” It's become a mantra of Mardi Gras throughout the years.
After all the parades are over, hang on to those beads. There are a few organizations that will have a drop off locations to collect the beads for next year.
We will be updating our list as more information is known. Please contact them to get a collection place and time.
1. The Dothan Elks Lodge - https://www.facebook.com/Dothan-Elks-Lodge-347636231935353/
2. Miss Angel Pageant - https://www.facebook.com/MissAngelPageant/
3. Alyson Stephenson Powell - https://www.facebook.com/alyson.s.powell?sk=wall&fref=gs&dti=781967698613746&hc_location=group_dialog
In 2020, the parade will be on Feb.22, at 3 PM, rain or shine!
So come prepared. There will be Beads, Candy, Moon Pies, Prize Coconuts and More.
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This is the parade route for 2020.
Make sure to find your special watch spot and get out early to see us!
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Anyone wanting to apply to put afloat in the Mardi Gras Parade please use the application found in this link. We welcome the community to join us!
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