HOW TO HOST A FESTIVE MARDI GRAS PARTY
Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a festive celebration that marks the culmination of the Carnival season. Originating in medieval Europe, Mardi Gras festivities were brought to Louisiana by French settlers in the 17th century and have since evolved into a vibrant cultural phenomenon, particularly in New Orleans. The holiday is characterized by extravagant parades, colorful costumes, lively music, and indulgent feasting before the solemnity of the Lenten season begins.
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The entrance: to host a memorable Mardi Gras party, start by creating a lively entrance that sets the tone for the festivities. Decorate with strings of colorful beads, feathered masks, and banners in traditional Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—to welcome guests in true Carnival style.
Soundscape: play upbeat jazz music or brass band tunes to get everyone in the spirit as they arrive. Keep the party going with a lively soundtrack of jazz, blues, and Zydeco music that captures the spirit of Mardi Gras. Create a playlist featuring legendary artists like Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Dr. John, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to keep guests dancing throughout the night. Turn the music down once the gameplay begins, as your players will need to communicate.
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Decor: transform your party space into a scene straight out of the French Quarter with vibrant and eclectic decor. Hang shimmering metallic curtains, festoon lights, and Mardi Gras flags to create a festive ambiance. Set up tables adorned with sequined tablecloths, glittering centerpieces, and clusters of colorful balloons to add to the celebratory atmosphere. For a headstart on Mardi Gras decor, click here for the Mardi Gras Decor Kit.
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Food (menu suggestions are below: indulge your guests' taste buds with a decadent feast inspired by the flavors of New Orleans cuisine. Serve classic dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and crawfish étouffée to transport them to the streets of the Big Easy. Don't forget to include iconic Mardi Gras treats like king cake, beignets, and pralines for dessert.
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Interactive corners: set up interactive corners where guests can participate in traditional Mardi Gras activities. Provide materials for guests to decorate their own masks or create colorful bead necklaces. If you really want to go all out - host a mini parade around the party space, complete with homemade floats and costumed revelers tossing throws to the crowd.
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With a festive entrance, vibrant decor, mouthwatering cuisine, lively music, and engaging activities, your Mardi Gras party will surely be a memorable celebration that captures the essence of the Carnival season in New Orleans. Laissez les bons temps rouler—let the good times roll!
Traditional Mardi Gras Krewes
Krewe of ZULU
The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club -- has an interesting history and "golden nugget" (coconut) parade throws.
Mardi Gras Indians
They wear beautiful beaded and feathered costumes they hand design throughout the entire year!
Krewe of Bacchus
Krewe of Bacchus features national celebrity monarchs each year and a crowd of over a hundred thousand.
Krewe of Rex
This Krewe is a classic Mardi Gras parade feature that gave way to the colors of purple, green, and gold and the collectible doubloon coins (first thrown by Rex in 1960).
Krewe of Endymion
Began in 1974 and included many celebrity guests.
Krewe of Cleopatra
In 1972, this Krewe was named after the historical Queen of Egypt and is the first all-lady organization.
Krewe of Elks Orleans
More than 50 unique truck floats parade after Rex down St. Charles Ave.
Krewe of Orpheus
Known as a super Krewe and established in 1994 with a record 700 riders!
Krewe of Proteus
Founded in 1882, its first parade theme was Egyptian mythology. This is the second-oldest Krewe of the New Orleans Mardi Gras season.
Krewe of Mid City
Founded in 1933, the Krewe of Mid-City is the 5th oldest Krewe of the New Orleans Mardi Gras season.
Krewe of Thoth
Founded in 1947, this Krewe is named after the Egyptian Patron of Wisdom and the Inventor of Science, Art, and Letters.
Krewe of Okeanos
In 1949, this Krewe's name was inspired by the Greek god of oceans and fertile valleys.
Krewe of Crescent City
Created in 1947, this parade Krewe sports 3,000 male and female riders.
Krewe of Tucks
Founded in 1969, the Krewe of Tucks has been a crowd favorite for nearly 40 years. They are known for their awesome throws!
Krewe of Caesar
Founded in 1979 and named after an actual person rather than a mythical being!
Krewe du Vieux
Founded in 1987, this Krewe prides itself on hand-made mule-drawn floats.
Krewe of Little Rascals
Founded in 1983, this is the best and most extravagant children's Mardi Gras Krewe in Carnival history.
Krewe of Oshun
Founded in 1996, this crew got its name from the Yoruba goddess of love and intimacy.
Krewe of Excalibur
Founded in 2000, Excalibur was named after the legendary sword of King Arthur.
Krewe of Pygmalion
Founded in 2000, a Greek legend of a Cypress King was the inspiration for this Krewe.
Krewe of Pontchartrain
This Krewe was organized in 1975 and is named after Lake Pontchartrain.
Krewe of Shangri-La
The Krewe is named after the mythical Eden-like land called "Shangri-La" in the Himalayan mountains.
Krewe of Sparta
Founded in 1952, Krewe of Sparta takes its name from Sparta in southern Greece.
Krewe of Pegasus
Founded in 1957, Krewe of Pegasus is named for the winged horse of Greek mythology.
Krewe of Gladiators
Founded in 1973, this Krewe snagged its name from the Roman warriors.
Krewe of Alla
Founded in 1932, this all-male Krewe is one of the largest krewes.
Krewe of Carrollton
Founded in 1924 by a group of local businessmen, this Krewe is the most punctual Krewe there is!
Krewe of King Arthur & Merlin
Founded in 1977, King Arthur parades on New Orleans' Uptown route.
Krewe of Barkus
The Krewe of Barkus is the only Mardi Gras Krewe in New Orleans that's dog-worthy.
Krewe of Nemesis
This Krewe was named after the goddess of retribution in the Greek mythology.
Krewe of Rhea
Founded in 1969, the Krewe of Rhea is named for Rhea, the daughter of Uranus and the mother of Zeus.
Krewe of Centurions
Founded in 1979, this all-male organization was named after legendary Roman warriors - Centurians were leaders of men.
Krewe of Ancient Druids
Established in 1998, this Krewe is a priest class of ancient Celtic societies that connected their people with the gods and nature.
Knights of Babylon
Founded in 1939, this crew has not changed its float design for over 60 years.
Knights of Chaos
Organized in 2000, the Krewe of Chaos was formed by 200 male riders.
Krewe of Cork
Founded in 2000, the Krewe of Cork has become a world-famous Mardi Gras and wine industry spectacle.
Krewe of Muses
Organized in 2000, the Krewe of Muses is named for the daughters of Zeus, who are patrons of the arts and sciences.
Krewe of Hermes
Founded in 1937, the Knights of Hermes take their name from the Greek mythos of the winged courier of the gods.
Krewe d'Etat
It was founded in 1996 as a superior Krewe and has numerous floats with many riders.
Krewe of Aquila
Latin for Eagle and has some of the most beautiful court costumes in Mardi Gras.
Knights of Jason
Founded in 1965 as Kenner's only parading organization, the Knights of Jason became silent by 1974.
Krewe of Morpheus
Established in 2000, this Krewe is named for the Greek god of dreams.
Krewe of Isis
Founded in 1973, the all-female Krewe of Isis first started parading in Kenner.
Krewe of Iris
It was founded in 1917 but started parading in 1959. It is the largest all-female Krewe in New Orleans.
Krewe of NOMTOC
Founded in 1951, this Krewe (New Orleans Most Talked Of Club) began parading in Orleans Parish in 1971.
Mystic Knights of Adonis
Founded in 1999, The Mystic Knights of Adonis shares only a similarity in name to The Mystic Krewe of Adonis which paraded in Orleans Parish during the 1950's.
Corps de Napoleon
Founded in 1980, The Corps de Napoleon honors Louisiana's French history by taking its name from France's greatest hero, Napoleon.
Krewe of Zeus
Founded in 1958, this Krewe is the oldest parading organization in the suburbs of Jefferson Parish, where it holds night-time parades.
Krewe of Argus
Founded in 1972, The Krewe of Argus takes its name from the Greek God, Argus, the all-seeing with one hundred eyes.
Krewe of Elks-Jeffersonians
Founded in 1974, The Krewe of Elks-Jeffersonians is sponsored by the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, a worldwide fraternal society dedicated to charity and volunteers.
Krewe of Jefferson
Founded in 1972, this Krewe is the last truck parade in Jefferson Parish.
Krewe of Grela
Founded in 1947, this Krewe is named for where the parade passes through, Gretna, LA.
Krewe of Bes
This Krewe follows Grela's parade route through Gretna, LA.
Krewe of Choctaw
Founded in 1935, their first parade ran in 1939. It took them a while to get everything together and ready to go.
Mardi Gras Dictionary
CAJUN
The nickname given to the descendants of the Acadians and Acadian culture is Acadian. They were French settlers who were forced out of Nova Scotia by the British and resettled in southern Louisiana in the bayous.
CAPTAIN
The leader of each Carnival organization (krewe). However, some Krewes elect a board and a president and do not have a Captain.
CARNIVAL
The Mardi Gras season commences on January 6th (the Twelfth Night) and ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). This season leads up to Lent (fasting).
COURT (Royal Court)
The King, Queen, Maids, and Dukes of a Carnival Organization.
DEN
A large warehouse where floats are built and stored.
DOUBLOONS
Toy plastic or metal coins bearing the Krewe’s insignia on one side and the parade theme on the other. First introduced by Rex in 1960.
FAT TUESDAY
Also known by the Christian calendar as Shrove Tuesday, it is the last day before Lent. It is a day of merry-making and carnival - marking the climax of the carnival period.
FLAMBEAUX
Naphtha-fueled torches held by revelers were traditionally the only source of nighttime illumination.
INVITATION
A formal printed request for attendance at a Carnival Ball. In the 19th century, these were die-cut and printed in Paris. They are not transferable to another person, and it is improper to refer to them as ‘tickets.’
JOE CAIN PROCESSION
It is an annual event held the Sunday before Fat Tuesday in observance of Joe Cain (from Mobile, Alabama), who revived the Carnival season.
KING CAKE
An oval pastry containing a small, plastic toy baby hidden inside. The person that has the plastic doll in their slice of cake is crowned as the ‘King’ and buys the next cake and throws the next party the
following year.
KING’S DAY
January 6th is also called the Feast of the Epiphany. On this day, King Cake parties are traditionally held, and the Carnival season commences.
KING REX
In New Orleans, Rex is known as the ‘King of Carnival.’ A committee of the Rex Organization chooses Rex. The local New Orleans news media will disclose Rex’s identity on Fat Tuesday.
KING ZULU
King Zulu kicks off the Carnival parade celebration in New Orleans on Mardi Gras day. ‘Zulu,’ meaning the wisest, is one of the seven Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club characters.
KREWE
The general term for all Carnival organizations in New Orleans. It was first used by the Mystic (Mistick) Krewe of Comus, the first Carnival organization in New Orleans, in 1857.
MARDI GRAS
This is French for Fat Tuesday.
MARDI GRAS INDIANS
In 19th-century tradition, groups of African American men in New Orleans that portray American Indians in
magnificent hand-beaded and feathered costumes.
MARSHAL
A masked (and costumed) mystic society member who rides on horseback in the parade to keep the parade's pace and prevent any gaps between floats. Marshals also toss throws from their saddle bags.
MASKER
Mystic Society members appear in a mask and costume on a parade float. These riders have the requirement by their respective organizations’ bylaws to remain masked while on the float to help the revelers who line the parade route. These riders toss throws from the floats.
MYSTIC SOCIETY
A secret organization that sponsors parades, parties, balls, and other festivities for its members and their guests. Membership was traditionally kept secret.
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Young male servant or attendant for the King and/or Queen.
PARADE
A Carnival/Mardi Gras parade involves maskers riding the floats that travel via standardized and traditional routes. They include decorated floats, marching bands, and float riders (krewe members) who toss beads, cups, and other small toys for the onlookers. Each parade will have its own theme, with more than a dozen or more floats unifying the theme and portraying an individual piece of the story. Bands typically march between floats, and the rest of the parade unit consists of dance teams, parade marshals, flambeaux carriers, flag corps, local celebrities, and grand marshals.
PASS A GOOD TIME
Cajun for ‘having fun.’
QUEEN
A character of the Carnival Krewe is usually selected by a Krewe’s Captain and /or the members of a Krewe or via self-nomination and vote by the Board of Directors, depending on the organization’s hierarchy. She serves beside the King (in Co-Ed Krewes) as the ruling mythical monarch of the make-believe kingdom that is home to the namesake of the Krewe. She will reign over a parade, a bal masque, or both.
REVELER
A reveler is a festive merrymaker who participates in the carnival period by attending balls, parades, and parties. A reveler is more than a spectator; they actually participate in the festivities.
ROYALTY
Some Carnival Krewes select royalty each year, mostly members of their respective organizations. The crew Bacchus, a more modern crew, elects a celebrity as their respective royalty (King).
TABLEAU BALL
A masquerade ball includes an elaborate production of scenes, skits, and dances linked to an underlying theme. Often performed by Krewe members.
THEME
The floats in the parades and the costumes of the float riders portray a cohesive story or idea. Each parade has a theme, and each mystic society reveals a new theme for each year. The themes are typically mythical, historical, literary, geographical, or pop culture.
THROWS
During the parade, costumed float riders tossed inexpensive toys and knickknacks. The most popular ones were doubloons, beads, and plastic cups.
“THROW ME SOMETHING, MISTER”
It is a traditional call by a spectator wanting throws from the maskers on the parade float.
ZULU COCONUT
‘The golden nugget’ of all Mardi Gras throws within the parades. It is a coconut that is hand-decorated by a member of the Zulu Krewe. This is the hardest throw to acquire and should be considered a prize possession.
ZULU PARADE
The oldest African American parading club that began in 1909. They have the tradition of being the first to hit the streets on Mardi Gras day and are traditionally late.
MENU SUGGESTIONS
Always ask your guests' nutritional requirements with the RSVPs to determine if they have any allergies or objections to particular ingredients.
Recipes courtesy of the Halloween Party Host Handbook.
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APPETIZERS:
Crab Bisque
Ingredients for 8 servings:
¼ cup butter
¾ cup yellow onion, chopped
4 ears of corn kernels (removed from cob)
½ cup of half and half
14 oz. chicken broth cans x3
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
½ tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 tsp. creole seasoning
½ cup of milk
16 oz. fresh lump crabmeat
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt, pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and stir in the onion, cooking ~ 5-6 minutes until translucent. Add the chicken broth, boil, and add the garlic, bay leaves, and seasonings. Stir corn into boiling broth, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove about 1 cup of the soup and allow cooling. Puree the mix for about 1 minute using a food processor and set aside.
In a separate bowl, add flour and milk, and stir thoroughly before adding to the soup in the pot. Stir mixture and then add the puree, stirring again until blended. At the continued low heat, add the crab meat and cook about 5 minutes. Serve with garlic toast made with French bread.
ENTREE:
Shrimp ‘N Grits
Ingredients for 6 servings:
3 1/3 cups of water
2/3 uncooked grits
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup butter x2
½ tsp minced garlic
2 green onions, minced
16 oz. package frozen shrimp – peeled, thawed and deveined
1 tsp. lemon juice
Cayenne pepper and black pepper to taste
¾ cup cubed Velveeta cheese
Instructions:
Boil water in a saucepan. Add grits and salt. Cover and reduce to a low simmer for 15-20 minutes until the grits become tender. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Over medium heat in a saucepan, melt butter and add garlic, stirring until softened for about 2-3 minutes. Add green onions for another 4 minutes. Add shrimp to garlic/onion mix and cook until firm/pink, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and other spices (salt, pepper to taste).
Prior to serving, add butter to grits and the Velveeta and mix until thoroughly blended. Again, season to taste. Serve with shrimp on top of grits with pan sauce poured over the top.
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Red Beans N’ Rice
Ingredients for 6 servings:
1 pound of dried red beans (soaked overnight)
10 cups of water
7 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. creole seasoning
1 pound of Andouille sausage, sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
6 fresh
5 basil leaves chopped
1 ham hock
4 cups cooked white rice
Salt, pepper to taste
Instructions:
Using a slow cooker, add the beans and water. Over medium-high heat, heat a skillet and brown the sausage rounds before transferring into the slow cooker. Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic to the pan drippings and cook until tender for about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker and add seasonings, stirring thoroughly. Add the ham hock and cook for about 8 hours or until you have tender beans. If too much water is left, remove the lid and cook until they are a creamy consistency. Serve over cooked rice.
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Cajun Jambalaya
Ingredients for 6 servings:
2 tsp. olive oil
½ tsp. onion powder
2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
8 oz. kielbasa, diced
2 cups uncooked white rice
4 cups of chicken broth
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
½ cup celery, diced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
Cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste.
3 bay leaves
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
Instructions:
On medium-high heat, heat the oil in a large pot. Sauté the chicken and kielbasa until lightly browned (~ 5-6 minutes). Stir in onion, bell pepper, garlic and celery. Add seasonings, cooking for 5-6 minutes until onions are translucent and tender. Add the rice, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is ready. Remove bay leaves prior to serving.
DESSERTS:
Café Beignets
Ingredients for 10-12 servings:
½ cup water
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon yeast
2 eggs (beaten)
7/5 cups of flour
¼ cup of shortening
½ cup of sugar
1 quart veggie oil for frying the beignets
1 cup powdered sugar for dusting
1 tsp. salt
1 cup of boiling water
Instructions:
Using room-temperature water in a small bowl (1/2 cup), add the yeast and let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve. In another bowl (large), mix the sugar, salt, and shortening. Add the boiling water, mix, and then stir in the evaporated milk, stirring. Cool to room temperature before adding the yeast mix and beaten eggs. Stir thoroughly.
Add the flour slowly, forming a dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
Use handfuls of dough at a time and knead until smooth. Roll to 1/8 inch thick and cut into strips about 3 inch squares. Heat the oil in the frying pan to about 360F (180C) (med-high). Carefully add the dough into the oil and all each to cook 4-5 minutes until puffy and golden brown. Remove and place on a drying rack (or paper towels) and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
COCKTAILS FOR ADULTS:
The Hurricane
Ingredients for 2 servings:
2 oz. Bacardi Silver
2 oz. dark rum
2 oz. passion fruit juice
1 oz. orange juice
½ oz. fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon simple syrup
1 tablespoon grenadine
Garnish: orange slice and cherry
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a Hurricane glass filled with ice. Garnish on the rim.
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Bayou Bloody Mary
Ingredients for 6 servings:
1 cup of vodka
4.5 cups chilled tomato juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
5 dashes of Tabasco hot sauce (or more/less to taste)
Celery salt, pepper to taste
Garnish with lemon wedge and celery stick
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish on the rim and insert the celery stick into the drink.
Absinthe Frappe (Historical New Orleans cocktail)
Ingredients for 10-12 servings:
1.5 oz. Absinthe
½ oz. simple syrup
2 oz. soda water
6-8 mint leaves
Crushed ice
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a double old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
BONUS ACTIVITIES
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Tie a Purple Ribbon
Objective: To be the team that can locate as many envelopes containing various lengths of purple (and gold, green if you wish) ribbon as possible and tie them together to make the longest strand.
Rules: purchase purple satin ribbon and cut it into various lengths (long enough to be tied together). Place in green or gold envelopes and hide within your boundaries – hiding the longer pieces in more difficult spots. When you say go, set the timer for five minutes, and the two teams hunt for the envelopes and collect as many as they can before the first timer goes off. When the timer goes off, the teams have 10 seconds to return to home base for phase two of the challenge. When the teams are ready, the host says go, and they open each envelope and tie their ribbons together. The team with the longest ribbon strand is declared the winner!
Props needed: ribbon cut into various lengths and envelopes. A timer.
Playing time: ~ 15 minutes.
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Are you Stealth like a Masker?
Rules: Purchase about 1.5 meters (~5 ft.) of bubble wrap packing material. The guests take turns walking the length of the bubble wrap. The winner is the first one to walk the length of the wrap without popping a bubble. If everyone does it without a pop, then change it to walking on their knees, crab walks, front rolls, etc.
Props needed: strips of bubble wrapping material (host supplied).
Playing time: ~ 10 minutes
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Newspaper Mayhem
Objective: Get your final player across the finish line by only stepping on two sheets of newspaper.
Rules: divide your group into two teams and have them line up at the starting line (create a starting line with painter’s tape.) Also, make a finish line however far from the start that you wish. Line up your teams behind the starting line. Give each team two sheets of newspaper. They race to the finish line and back by only stepping on the newspaper sheets. If they rip their sheet, they must wait for the host to get them a new one, as ripped sheets do not count across the finish line. The safest strategy is to place the newspaper in front of them, step onto it, grab the one behind and place it in front, and so forth. They must cross the finish line and race back to tag the next player in line, handing off their newspapers. The final player only has to make it one leg of the race and cross the finish line. The first team to have their final player cross the finish line with two intact newspapers is declared the winning team.
Props needed: newspaper sheets (2) for each team with some backup sheets for ripped sheets during the challenge. You can switch the newspaper to any Halloween cutouts as large as a foot, such as pumpkins. Relay lanes are marked with start/finish.
Playing time: ~ 10-15 minutes.
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Dangling Donuts
Objective: Eat your donut the fastest!
Rules: Using string, hang a donut for each player from a secure spot such as a tree branch, door jamb, etc. When the host says go, the players eat the donut without using their hands. However, if a piece of a donut drops from the string, they are allowed to catch it or pick it up with their mouth.
Props needed: a donut for each player, string, a place to hang the donuts, a very clean floor, and/or a sanitary drop cloth for the donuts to land on.
Playing time: ~5-10 minutes.
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Cookie Monsters
Objective: to be the first to eat your cookie.
Rules: place a cookie on each player’s forehead. When you say go, the players do anything possible using only their faces to get the cookie into their mouths. If it drops to the floor, they are out. If they touch it with their hands, they are out. The winner is the first player to get the cookie into their mouth and eat it.
Props needed: a cookie for each player.
Playing time: ~5-10 minutes.
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Mardi Gras Trivia Challenge
GAME OBJECTIVE: to break the ice and start the game.
RULES: Give each player a trivia slip along with their round one card and instruct them to break the ice with each other by posing fun trivia questions before discussing their round one clues!
PROPS NEEDED: trivia slips
PLAYING TIME: round one
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What U.S. city was the first to celebrate Mardi Gras in 1703? Answer: Mobile, Alabama
Question: Since Mobile was first, when did Mardi Gras celebrations hit the streets of New Orleans? Answer: 1857
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What are the three traditional colors of Mardi Gras? Answer: Yellow, Green, and Purple.
Question: Which one of those colors is not a traditional U.S. Mardi Gras color (from 1703)? Answer: Green - it was later added to the U.S. celebrations.
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What is Mardi Gras also referred to as? Answer: Fat Tuesday
Question: Why is it called ‘Fat Tuesday?’ Answer: It is the feast before the arrival of Lent (Ash Wednesday)
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: With the traditional Mardi Gras colors, what does ‘purple’ symbolize? Answer: justice
Question: With the traditional Mardi Gras colors, what does ‘yellow’ symbolize? Answer: power
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What is the ‘Mistick Krewe of Comus?’ Answer: New Orleans’ first mystic society (comus means revelers)
Question: In the Christian calendar, what is Mardi Gras referred to as? Answer: Shrove Tuesday - the day before Lent
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What high school marching band is legendary for its appearances in Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans? Answer: St. Augustine
Question: Who is Mr. Mardi Gras? Answer: Blaine Kern
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: Which New Orleans Krewe recruits a celebrity non-member to partake in their parade? Answer: Bacchus
Question: An oval, sugared cake with a plastic baby hidden inside is called what? Answer: King Cake
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: According to the New Orleans Sanitation Department, how much trash and debris is generated from the last 12 days of Mardi Gras parades and celebrations? Answer: Approximately 2,000+ tons
Question: What is the significance of the ‘green’ color in the Mardi Gras décor? Answer: It signifies ‘faith.’
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: How many Krewes (private clubs) are in New Orleans organizing the Mardi Gras festivities? Answer: ~ 60
Question: What is the term for the colorful coins that are thrown by the float riders in the parades? Answer: doubloons
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: The Krewe of Zulu - one of the private societies organizing the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans - throws out a very special prize each year to bystanders. What is it? Answer: hand decorated coconuts
Question: Was there a Mardi Gras celebration the year of Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Answer: yes!
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: Who is the King of Carnival? Answer: Rex
Question: What is the official food of Mardi Gras? Answer: King Cake
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What organization anoints the Queen of Carnival? Answer: Rex
Question: What typically pulls Mardi Gras floats around the parade routes? Answer: tractors
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What date was Mardi Gras on in 2010? Answer: February 16
Question: What is the most popular parade route in New Orleans? (What street is the place to be if you want to see it all?) Answer: St. Charles Avenue
USE THE FOLLOWING MARDI GRAS TRIVIA QUESTIONS AS AN ICEBREAKER
Question: What are descendants of the Arcadians who were driven out of Canada in the 1700s because they wouldn’t pledge allegiance to the King of England called? Answer: Cajuns
Question: What is the French name for a slow moving river? Answer: Bayou