 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
 |
History of Key West Mardi GrasKey West Mardi Gras at Bourbon Street Pub started 11 years ago, just about 5 months after the bar opened its doors. After a number of visits to New Orleans over the years, Bourbon Street Pub owner Joe Schroeder wanted to bring a taste of New Orleans to Key West. After opening the bar and decorating with a French Quarter flair, the next obvious step was to bring some of the Mardi Gras traditions to the island. Though Fantasy Fest is often referred to as the Key West version of Mardi Gras, traditional Mardi Gras celebrations are defined by a specific set of "rules" and traditions. Over the years the Mardi Gras celebrations have been adapted to a very Key West style with some unique twists on these traditions. Key West Mardi Gras does not compare to the magnitude of New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations, but that is part of the attraction for most attendees. Started with parties at a few of the local gay bars, Key West Mardi Gras has continued to grow and and draw more Gay and Lesbian visitors to Key West as an alternate vacation destination for Mardi Gras. |
||
 |
|||
History of Mardi Gras TraditionsThe Mardi Gras season begins with Carnival, which refers to the celebrations and revelry before Mardi Gras. Carnival traditionally begins on January 6 and is known as the "Twelfth Night" or "King's Day," and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the arrival of the fasting days of Lent. Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday"), or Shrove Tuesday (UK), is the last day, of the period of carnival. The name Mardi Gras has come (incorrectly) to represent the entire carnival period.
Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage in 1699. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that day of the week. "Fat Tuesday" can fall between February 3 and March 9 and Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.
The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold stands for power. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. This section could on endlessly with all of the history and fascinating traditions that define Carnival and Mardi Gras. For more information check out the countless number of web sites available for additional research and explanations. In Key West we have adapted some of these traditions and hold most of our celebrations at night out of the heat of the day. Some celebrations are unique to Key West Mardi Gras and have evolved out of a culmination of these various traditions. |
 |
||