Alexandrine and Bryce in my book Marrying Freedom attended the first Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras is a festive occasion that has been celebrated in New Orleans for centuries. The holiday has its roots in France, where it was originally known as “Fat Tuesday.” The tradition of Mardi Gras began when French colonists established New Orleans as a settlement in the early 1700s. For years, the holiday was observed by French settlers and their descendants. Over time, however, the celebration began to take on a more American flavor. In 1857, New Orleans held its first organized Mardi Gras parade. The event was a huge success, and it soon became an annual tradition. Today, Mardi Gras is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Orleans. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the city to enjoy the parade, music, and festivities.

Masking became a tradition because, during early Carnivals, people put on masks to be able to mingle outside their class and keep their reputation untarnished. Float riders are required to wear masks by law in keeping with the mystery and tradition, and many krewes never reveal who their king or queen is.