As the eldest of five siblings, my memories of past Mardi Gras seasons are either chaotic (at the parades) or boring (at home). My father was a merchant marine and

Mardi Gras is the culmination of Carnival season, and this year it lands on March 4. In Hampton Roads, most celebrations will be the weekend before.

Residents prepare for Mardi Gras 2025

How did Mardi Gras, a religious holiday, become a time to cut loose and party hard? It originated from French tradition and began as an annual carnival celebration in Louisiana in the 1700s. Today, it has become a month-long event in New Orleans with parades through the French Quarter,