Mardi Gras in Philadelphia

Mardi Gras Tuesday is an over-the-top street celebration falling on the day before Ash Wednesday. It is the last day of Carnival, the festival season usually beginning and ending in February or March. In the United States, the celebration is most traditionally associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. This year's celebration will be held on February 5, 2008. Many cities across the U.S. and the world have their own versions of Mardi Gras. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's version can get as rowdy as the real thing.

Thousands of party-goers flock to South Street in Philadelphia between 3^rd and 7^th streets on Mardi Gras Tuesday. South Street is a popular district in Philadelphia where people from all over town regularly congregate to drink, party, eat, and shop in alternative stores.

Fat Tuesday is one of the most well-known drinking spots on Mardi Gras because of its Mardi Gras theme. The bartenders give out beads and strong drinks. The bar generally has a wild atmosphere that is characteristic of the actual Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. The watering hole is set up so that patrons fortunate enough to grab a seat can sit outside and view everyone that walks by on South Street. They usually taunt, scream, and laugh at people on the street below. Fat Tuesday can definitely be a risk at times due to the number of people that get ridiculously drunk on the bar's tasty slushy dacquiri drinks, including the 190 Octane, which will have you on your arse in no time flat. Bring cab fare, or a designated driver.

After filling up on drinks at Fat Tuesday or one of the other numerous bars on South Street, Mardi Gras-ers usually prowl South Street in droves, devoid of inhibition and dead set on having a good time. They are loud, unruly, and carefree. Fights have been known to break out on Mardi Gras Tuesday on South Street and Philadelphia, so you should have a good exit plan just in case. The police are always present in large numbers on South Street, but on Mardi Gras Tuesday they are a force to be reckoned with.

If you are paranoid or just like to play it safe, you'll probably want to stay home on February 5^th in Philadelphia, PA and watch television. But if you like to live on the wild side, then fill up on food, leave your wallet and purse at home, strap money to your leg, and take a train or cab to South Street on Mardi Gras Tuesday.