How to Have a Fun Mardi Gras Ever Without Traveling to New Orleans

Have the best Mardi Gras ever, even if circumstances don't permit travel to New Orleans, Rio, or one of the other exotic locations known for Mardi Gras or Carnivale celebrations. How?

Plan a Parade

Just because your hometown or neighborhood isn't known for hosting a grandiose Mardi Gras parade doesn't mean it can't have one. Choosing the right Mardi Gras parade elements can make up for the lack of size. Start with some brass bands playing authentic Mardi Gras music. Remember it's the spirit that makes Mardi Gras unique. A spirited local high school marching band or a ragtag bunch of neighbors who played brass instruments once upon a time can give your homegrown Mardi Gras parade just the right flavor.

"Real" parade floats are time consuming and costly to produce. Most low-grade imitation parade floats look like low-grade imitation parade floats. Focus on the Mardi Gras parade elements that are easier to reproduce yet still make an impact.

How about creating a couple of Mardi Gras parade giants to walk the parade route? Instructions for making parade giants can be found here.

Mardi Gras masks are also easy to make and can be made from a variety of materials. Templates can be found online for those who don't dare tackle the project without one. Click here and here for a selection of Mardi Gras mask templates. These masks can be made and worn in the parade with costumes in the vibrant Mardi Gras green, gold and purple hues and later used for a masquerade ball.

Cheap plastic beads in Mardi Gras colors can be bought in bulk from party supply companies along with Mardi Gras doubloons. Parade participants throw the beads and doubloons to the parade watchers.

Host a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball

Bring Mardi Gras home with a nearly authentic masquerade ball. Parade costumes can be reused or perhaps formal wear will complement the Mardi Gras masks?

Music of the New Orleans style jazz, cajun and zydeco varieties will keep the crowd on its feet.

Buy or make a King Cake and serve it midway through the evening. The Mardi Gras tradition is to put a small plastic baby doll in the King Cake. Whoever is served the doll assumes responsibility for supplying the following year's Mardi Gras King Cake. For a traditional King Cake recipe, click here.

How about some voodoo to add New Orleans flavor to your Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball? Learn how to make voodoo dolls here. Decorate the dolls to look like political candidates or other "victims" of choice. Make sure and provide pearl head straight pins with the dolls.

Don't forget the Hurricanes and other potent drinks that define Mardi Gras! Find recipes for the most famous Mardi Gras alcoholic beverages here.

Laissez les bontemps roulet!