Photos: Shrove Tuesday – Mardi Gras Finale

Posted Feb 12, 2013

Shrove Tuesday is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is determined by Easter; its date changes annually.

Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. “Mardi Gras” has come to mean the whole period of activity related to the celebratory events, beyond just the single day. In some US cities, it is now called “Mardi Gras Day” or “Fat Tuesday”. The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions consider Mardi Gras the entire period between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday.Others treat the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the Mardi Gras. In Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras-associated social events begin in November, followed by mystic society balls on Thanksgiving, then New Year’s Eve, followed by parades and balls in January and February, celebrating up to midnight before Ash Wednesday. In earlier times parades were held on New Year’s Day.

1 of 45

Rachel Kohn poses for a photo in her clear raincoat she prepares to march in the Orpheus Mardi Gras paradein New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Rain greeted the start of the parade. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
2 of 45

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade waves from the float as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
3 of 45

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade throws beads from her float as she rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
4 of 45

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
5 of 45

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade throws beads from her float as she rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
6 of 45

Parade goers yell for throws as the Iris Mardi Gras parade rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
7 of 45

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
8 of 45

Lynn Lake throws beads as she and her dog, Lillie, particpate in the 10th Annaul Mardi Gras Dog Parade held Sandestin Resort's Village at Baytowne Wharf in Destin, Fla. Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to see the well dressed canines and catch throws ranging from beads to dog biscuits in the annual parade, which is a fundraiser for the Alaqua Animal Refuge. (AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily, Devon Ravine)
9 of 45

Young spectators shout for beads and throws Sunday during the 10th Annaul Mardi Gras Dog Parade held at Sandestin Resort's Village at Baytowne Wharf in Destin, Fla. Feb. 10, 2013. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to see the well dressed canines and catch throws ranging from beads to dog biscuits in the annual parade, which is a fundraiser for the Alaqua Animal Refuge. (AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily, Devon Ravine)
10 of 45

Debbie Hannan sits with her dog, Monet, in a wagon at the start of the 10th Annaul Mardi Gras Dog Parade held Sunday Sandestin Resort's Village at Baytowne Wharf in Destin, Fla. Feb. 10, 2013. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to see the well dressed canines and catch throws ranging from beads to dog biscuits in the annual parade, which is a fundraiser for the Alaqua Animal Refuge. (AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily, Devon Ravine)
11 of 45

Musician Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
12 of 45

The Martin Luther King High School Band is braving the rain as it marches in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade rin New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
13 of 45

Actor Gary Sinise signs autographs before riding in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
14 of 45

Entertainer Harry Connick, Jr., right talks with actress Mariska Hargitay as they prepare to ride in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Connick is the founder of the parade. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
15 of 45

Entertainer Harry Connick, Jr., right talks with actress Mariska Hargitay as they prepare to ride in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Connick is the founder of the parade. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
16 of 45

Flambeaux carries line up to march in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. The heavy torches were originally used to light the floats but now many krewes still keep the carries to keep the old-time tradition alive. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
17 of 45

Flambeaux carries line up to march in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. The heavy torches were originally used to light the floats but now many krewes still keep the carries to keep the old-time tradition alive. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
18 of 45

Flambeaux carries line up to march in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. The heavy torches were originally used to light the floats but now many krewes still keep the carries to keep the old-time tradition alive. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
19 of 45

Actress Mariska Hargitay rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
20 of 45

Actress Mariska Hargitay arrives at the staging are of the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
21 of 45

Actor Gary throws beads as he rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
22 of 45

Actor Gary Sinise greets a fellow rider before the start of the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
23 of 45

Revelers yell for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
24 of 45

Gina Mendow, of Covington, La., kisses her daughter Anna Mendow, 4, as they wait between Mardi Gras parades on Napoleon Ave., in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
25 of 45

Mirella Reilly, of New Orleans, dances with her daughter Luciana Reilly, 6, as a marching band passes during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
26 of 45

Finnley Faurie, 5, catches beads from a float as she rides on her the shoulders of her father Rob Faurie during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
27 of 45

Members of the Laissez Boys Pleasure Aid &Leisure Club parade in motorized easy chairs during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
28 of 45

Members of the Mardi Gras dance group "The Sirens" perform during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
29 of 45

Revelers yell for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
30 of 45

Revelers yell for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
31 of 45

Tudda Honore, 6, performs as a drum major with the "Roots of Music" marching band during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
32 of 45

Revelers yell for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
33 of 45

Actor G.W. Bailey throws doubloons and trinkets as he reigns as King of the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
34 of 45

Floats pass down Napoleon Ave. during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
35 of 45

A reveler shows off his mask during the Krewe of Okeanos parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
36 of 45

Mike Ernst smiles while decked out in his Mardi Gras best Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 at the St. Paul's Carnival Association Parade in Pass Christian, Miss. (AP Photo/The Sun Herald, Tim Isbell)
37 of 45

The red-clad Mistresses of Joe Cain walk on rain-soaked downtown streets during the Joe Cain Procession Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 in Mobile, Ala. The procession, also called "the people's Mardi Gras parade" is held the Sunday immediately before Fat Tuesday during the Mardi Gras season in Mobile in honor of Joseph Stillwell Cain Jr. (1832-1904), who is credited for restarting Mardi Gras in Mobile following the Civil War. (AP Photo/Press-Register, Mike Brantley)
38 of 45

Chief Slacabamorinico rides through rain-soaked downtown streets during the Joe Cain Procession Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 in Mobile, Ala. The procession, also called "the people's Mardi Gras parade" is held the Sunday immediately before Fat Tuesday during the Mardi Gras season in Mobile in honor of Joseph Stillwell Cain Jr. (1832-1904), who is credited for restarting Mardi Gras in Mobile following the Civil War. (AP Photo/Press-Register, Mike Brantley)
39 of 45

Chief Slacabamorinico rides through rain-soaked downtown streets during the Joe Cain Procession Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 in Mobile, Ala. The procession, also called "the people's Mardi Gras parade" is held the Sunday immediately before Fat Tuesday during the Mardi Gras season in Mobile in honor of Joseph Stillwell Cain Jr. (1832-1904), who is credited for restarting Mardi Gras in Mobile following the Civil War. (AP Photo/Press-Register, Mike Brantley)
40 of 45

Carnival beads get tangled in the utility lines during the Iris parade as it rolled through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
41 of 45

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
42 of 45

A young parade goer reaches for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
43 of 45

Hands reach for a Mardi Gras throw thrown from a float in the Iris parade as it rolls through the streets in New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
44 of 45

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
45 of 45

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade throws beads from her float as she rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)