Mardi Gras aka Fat Tuesday
By Margie McLellan
Most of us associate Mardi Gras as a big party, with parades, beads and debauchery. Well, apparently we are not far off.
Although Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday, it dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility rites. It’s celebrated in many
countries around the world, mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations, on the day before the religious season of Lent begins.
What does Mardi Gras mean? Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and Gras means fat. In France, the day before Ash Wednesday came to be known
as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Traditionally, in the days leading up to Lent, merrymakers would binge on all the rich, fatty foods that remained in
their homes, in anticipation of several weeks of eating only fish and different types of fasting.
Although the first American Mardi Gras took place in 1699, when French explorers landed near New Orleans, it wasn’t until 1837 that the first
recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras took place, a tradition that continues to this day. Now, that’s a lot of partying!!
Not to be outdone, Tybee has its own ‘Mardi Gras Tybee Style.’ It’s only natural since we love parades and our island is full of fun loving characters.
The island will be arrayed in purple, gold and green flags. There will be a Parade and Street Party with live entertainment and more. I’m sure there
will be some good people watching!
The fun will start on Saturday, February 22 at 2pm with Tybee’s Mardi Gras Parade. It will begin at Memorial Park and continue down Butler Ave. to
the Round-about at the end of Tybrisa. After the parade there will be a costume contest. The winners will be crowned the 2020 Mardi Gras Tybee
King and Queen.
So grab your purple, gold and green beads and come join us for a fun Mardi Gras Tybee Style!
12 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | FEB 2020