Mardi Gras



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Supporting Michigan Libraries - 2/27/2025

Mardi Gras Resources in MeL

three purple and green mardi gras masks

Mardi Gras celebrations all over the United States have begun and will continue through Fat Tuesday. Historically, this event reflects the last night of consuming fatty foods in preparation for the Christian fasting season of Lent. More recently, Mardi Gras celebrations have evolved to include elaborate costumes, Cajun food, festive dance and music, and lavish parades. Using MeL eResources [ [link removed] ] from the Michigan eLibrary [ [link removed] ] (MeL), learn more about the traditions that surround this celebratory season.

*History*

While New Orleans might have the most well-known, modern-day celebration, it was not the first. That distinction goes to Mobile, Alabama. Opening the Related [ [link removed] ] tab in Britannica High [ [link removed] ]’s Mardi Gras page [ [link removed] ], users are given a curated list of Web’s Best Sites, including a link to Mobile’s “Mardi Gras [ [link removed] ]” entry in the "Encyclopedia of Alabama" and "Mardi Gras New Orlean’s “"Mardi Gras History [ [link removed] ].”

Rural festivities in southwestern Louisiana tend to be more unique than others. In "FOCUS on Geography" from Education Source [ [link removed] ], Photojournal: The Cajun Mardi Gras [ [link removed] ] offers not only several historic photos, but also explains the purpose behind "courir de Mardi Gras" (runs), which are kept secret until the day of the event and mostly excluded to outsiders. Mardi Gras Magic [ [link removed] ] and Let the Good Times Roll [ [link removed] ], both from "Louisiana Life" in MasterFILE Complete [ [link removed] ], give a clear picture of building the floats and where to find parties.

From the eBook K-8 Collection [ [link removed] ], young readers can learn about the role of krewes; the Organization of Rex; the symbolism of the purple, green, and gold throws; and various cultural dances through the titles, Mardi Gras [ [link removed] ] by Julie Murray and Mardi Gras and Carnival [ [link removed] ] by Molly Aloian.

*Food*

For recipe ideas in these last few days before Lent, explore Mardi Gras Fixin’s [ [link removed] ] ("Louisiana Life") to find suggestions for Crawfish Shells, Louisiana Guacamole, Dirty Rice, and a delicious Bloody Mary with pickled okra spears. "Food & Wine", a publication in MAS Complete [ [link removed] ], offers a step-by-step process (with pictures) for making the perfect King Cake, New Orleans-Style Barbecue Shrimp, and Crawfish Fettuccine in Feasting Season [ [link removed] ].

Information about the celebrations, food and history is plentiful in MeL, but there are also resources that remind us not every story is a happy one. The article, With Spotlight on New Orleans, Louisiana Moves Homeless Out of Sight [ [link removed] ], published last month in the "New York Times" from Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints [ [link removed] ], offers yet another perspective of Mardi Gras season.

*If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact **[email protected]* <[email protected]>* for help.*



Brought to you by *Ann Kaskinen from* the MeL Team

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

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