Lundi Gras in New Orleans: Arrive Early in New Orleans and Party an Extra Day

Lundi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans the Monday before Fat Tuesday. Lundi Gras is a fairly new tradition in Bayou that was begun in 1993. The festival is new but the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is an organization that dates back to 1909.

What is the Lundi Gras Celebration ?

The Lundi Gras celebration celebrates the arrival of the King of Zulu via a Coast Guard Cutter every year since 1993 with the exception of 2006 when they arrived at the foot of Canal Street because of damages due to Hurricane Katrina. When the King of Zulu arrives at 6:00 pm on Monday evening the Mayor of New Orleans presents him with the honor of ruling the city for the day. A tradition since 1993.

The Lundi Gras celebration grew quickly and in 1995 a company named the Music Group took over the management of the Lundi Gras Festival. The festival has expanded since it's inception and with the Hurricane Katrina disaster it moved it's main celebration location to Wolfenberg Park Canal Street Entrance.

The Zulu Lundi Gras celebration has become a huge draw known for it's abundance of great food and celebrations just like Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras. The event brings in a one day crowd of over 150,000 people according to New Orleans University.

A quick history of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club

In 1909 a group of laborers formed a club called "The Tramps". The group went to see a musical comedy performed by The Smart Set. In the show there was a skit entitled "There never was and there never will be a King like me" about the Zulu tribe.

Other stories include there was a group called the Benevolent Aid Society. The society was based on a form of insurance and the men paid dues. When someone became sick or a family member died the Society took care of them. The Zulus first appearance in the Mardi Gras parade was in 1909.

Art Mann Presents exposes Lundi Gras to the world

Art Mann, of the TV show Art Mann Presents on HD Net (see here), was one of the first to do a show on the Lundi Gras celebration. It ended up being one his most popular shows and the Zulu Lundi Gras celebration received major exposure.

Plan your Mardi Gras trip a day early

If you planning on attending Mardi Gras make sure you arrive on Sunday night and have double your fun two days of partying. Don't forget your beads and don't forget to leave your inhibitions on the plane. Have fun. Here is the countdown clock and the schedule of events for Lundi Gras 2010 click here .