My Mardi Gras Traditions

What a great season to be in New Orleans. If you have never lived here for the weeks prior to Mardi Gras, you have no idea what I mean. Mardi Gras is not a day, Carnival is a season.

When the rest of the country is having overcast, post-winter holiday blues, we are replenishing our costume closets for some good old fashioned reveling.

Last year I moved to New Orleans just in time to see the Saints win the Superbowl, and then to roll right into the two weeks prior to Mardi Gras. Last year I was green– this year I am purple, gold, AND green. Last year I was a newbie, this year it's on.

This year I'm cementing some Mardi Gras traditions. Here are my top 3:

Twelfth Night

Carnival season started when I ate my first piece of king cake at d.b.a on Frenchmen Street on January 6th, or Twelfth Night. I've never celebrated Twelfth Night before. Documenting the night was Dear New Orleans, a couple of young hot shots who run around New Orleans with Sharpies, writing short quips on body parts and documenting it with a fancy-pants camera and slightly wrinkled backdrop. You make a donation to their cause, part of which goes to evacuteer.org, and see your photos online in a couple day. I love that my Twelfth Night experience was documented by Dear New Orleans.

Redbeans Parade

Starting even earlier than Twelfth Night, I started beaning. Yes, beaning. I crafted myRedbeans Parade suit from all types of beans, transforming coyly into Beanjamin Franklin. And, to pat myself quite loudly on the back, last Tuesday night yours truly was elected to be Queen! Royalty is elected based on quality of the suits. With all the hot glue blisters and hours spent sweeping bean and glitter off the floor, Queen feels regal.

M.O.M.'s Ball

In addition to my bean costume, I've voyaged to Jefferson Variety for feathers, fabric and sequins, the costume trinity, preparing for M.O.M.'s Ball. The Krewe of Mystic Orphans and Misfits has been around since the 70s, forcing costuming on the terminally hip who were too cool for costuming school. Now M.O.M.'s Ball is a huge, invite-only, costume-centric extravaganza held at Mardi Gras World where the floats of Mardi Gras past are stored.

I've filled up the pre-MG weekend with some serious events, and we haven't even gotten to Mardi Gras Day yet, nor do I want to. I like these days to drag. No need to rush in the Big Easy.