Mardi Gras on the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach, SC -
Mardi Gras is a traditional holiday celebrated in many of the Southern states of the U.S.A., the most famous of which takes place in New Orleans. In 1718, the French in New Orleans were having private masked balls and parties.
When the Spanish government took over, parties and street dancing were banned! It wasn't until 1827, when Americans were in power, that the right to party in mask was restored! We LOVE America! New Orleanians enjoy this celebration by going to parades where they catch "beads, doubloons, cups and trinkets" that are all thrown from floats. The parades and balls are hosted by organizations known as Krewes and each Krewe has their own King, Queen and Royal Court to go with the theme for that year.
The Krewes throw lavish (or sometimes not) masquerade balls and everyone dresses up in costumes, also depicting the theme for that year. Members of the Krewe ride on the floats and throw the beads, doubloons and trinkets to the crowd. You can easily obtain a prized catch by shouting the famous phrase, "Throw me something, Mister!"
No one really knows where or when the custom started.some tracing it back to the Romans, whose pagan orgies were held during the spring season. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday," and of course is celebrated that day of the week. That day, however, can fall anywhere between February 3 and March 9 depending upon the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. To be precise, Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.and it marks the end of celebrations rather than the beginning!!
The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. Purple represents "justice," green stands for "faith," and gold is for "power." Another beloved tradition is that of the "King Cake." It is tradition to bake an oval cake in honor of the Three Kings. The shape symbolizes the unity of faiths and a small baby symbolizing, Jesus, is baked into each cake. King parties are held throughout the season.in offices, classrooms and homes, King Cakes are sliced and enjoyed by all! Custom holds that the barer of the slice with the baby will be rewarded with good luck, however, that person is also traditionally responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next party or gathering.
MYRTLE BEACH has a long history of celebrating Mardi Gras.maybe there's a little more Shag dancing but it's a whopping celebration nevertheless! It all begins with a Cajun Cook-off one weekend and a Masquerade Ball the next... long after the celebrating in New Orleans is over! Here's the reasoning behind THAT...first, you go down to New Orleans and celebrate, then come back to Myrtle Beach and start all over again! you can really keep the spirit at the Mardi Gras Parade at Broadway at the Beach and the Mardi Gras Celebration at Celebrity Square.
If you're still going strong, the Cajun Food Fest is held the next day at Coastal Federal Field! Plenty of good eatin' and plenty of beads to throw in Myrtle Beach, too.add a little sand in your shoes, and as always, some good ole shag dancin'.and that's Mardi gras on the Grand Strand.sponsored this year by Southern Comfort ..is there any other kind? NO Way...let the good times roll! 
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