Most historians believe that the first Mardi Gras occurred in the United States on March 3, 1699. This is when French explorers, Iberville and Bienville landed in what is now Louisiana, a tad south of what would become the holiday's main stage: New Orleans; this is where they held a small celebration we now call Mardi Gras. These days, the celebration is much bigger in Louisiana with parades and balls in almost every city! Here are 16 things that are only socially acceptable during Mardi Gras season in Louisiana!
1. Wearing every article of clothing you own that is purple, yellow, or green
2. Baking tiny plastic babies into cakes
3. Forcing the person who found said baby to buy the next King Cake
4. Parking anywhere possible to get close to the parade route
Even if it's illegal.
5. Stealing plastic cups from kids because, come on, the guy who threw it was looking at you!
Sorry, kid. Better luck next time.
6. Taking days off of work to sit on a sidewalk all day watching floats drive by
7. Drinking and eating extremely strange concoctions because they have the words "Mardi Gras" in the name
8. Speaking of drinking, getting drunk before 1 p.m. because some parades start early!
The parade starts at 3:00 p.m.? OK, so I'll start drinking at 9:00 a.m..
9. Buying candied apples, cotton candy, toys, and festive clothing from men with carts on the side of the street
10. Showing your unmentionables for plastic beads
Hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Know what I mean?
11. Yelling, "Throw me something, mista!" at strangers
12. Hooking up a BBQ pit in the back of a truck and parking on the side of a street
13. Listening to music consisting of only trumpets and horns, no words
14. Dancing in the street
15. Eating candy from strangers
16. Arguing with strangers about who should get the bead that fell in between your two parade spots!
