Mardi Gras. Two little words with an infinitely large explanation.  For different people it’s different things—an event, an idea, a day, a way of life, piece of history, state holiday, or a million parades and countless memories.  Think you know Mardi Gras? That it’s all about booze and beads? Think again! 

10 Things to Know About Mardi Gras

1. Carnival is a Season; Mardi Gras is a day.

Sure, we all do it. “Yea, I’m going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras!” we say, when we’re actually going to see parades the weekend before Mardi Gras, or the weekend before that. Technically, “Mardi Gras” is the last Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and ushers in 40 days of best behavior during Lent, and “Carnival” is the season that begins on the Feast of Epiphany. A krewe (pronounced the same way as "crew") is an organization that puts on a parade and/or a ball for the Carnival season.

2. Your Dog Will Love Mardi Gras.

Dogs just want to have fun! And that’s what they get at their very own parades in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Northshore and more locations! These animal-dedicated parades show off the fun and revelry from our furriest of friends, and man, do they look cute (check out images from past parades)!  Though the parades are mostly not rolling this year, start planning your dog's costume for the next celebration.

3. Mardi Gras is for Families.

There are many activities and Mardi Gras parades that are family-friendly. Though the parades are not rolling this year, in New Orleans’ there are a few favorite family parade-watching spots, which include St. Charles and Napoleon Streets. 

4. The Best Ways to Get Parade Goods Aren’t Always Obvious.

Sure, you could say, “Throw me something, mister!” or you could stick your cute kid on your shoulders, but if you really want to test your suitcases’ weight limit, head to the end of the parade. You’ll be showered by effervescent float-riders with a single goal: chuck all bags of beads off before they get off the float themselves.

5. You Never Know What They’ll Throw.

Bathroom humor never grows old, as evidenced by the irreverent joy of Krewe of Tucks riders in their giant toilet bowl float! The screaming crowds line the street begging for their bathroom-themed throws, including monogrammed toilet paper, sunglasses shaped like toilets, mini-plungers, and more. In Shreveport, we love the Krewe of Highland, who throw Spam and hot dogs. Anyone can come home with beads. Only those "in the know" get miniature squirting toilets and dinner.

6. The Best Parades Aren’t Necessarily the Biggest.

You can’t get any smaller than ’tit Rex, known as “New Orleans’ first and only MicroKrewe.” This krewe, founded in 2009, features miniature floats made from shoeboxes and found objects. Carnival throws are handed out by krewe members rather than tossed, since — in keeping with the theme of the parade — they are so tiny.

7. Why We Throw Beads at Mardi Gras?

Legend has it in the 1880s, a man dressed like Santa Claus received such fame throwing beads, that other krewes followed suit. Makes sense, seeing before that, krewes threw any manner of items, including food and dirt. Today krewes buy plastic beads en masse which parade-goers prefer over dirt! Locals still love to see throws of tiny glass bead strands, which are rare and seemed to have phased out in the 1960s and 1970s.

8. The Weight of Revelry.

Think your suitcase is heavy? Officials estimate upwards of 25 million pounds of Mardi Gras items get tossed from floats. In fact, locals like to visit ARC of New Orleans and recycle their beads for next year.

9. Mardi Gras is a Legal Holiday.

It really is! Despite the preponderance of what might “seem” like illegal activity, Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana, and has been since 1875, when Governor Warmoth signed the “Mardi Gras Act.”

10. Mardi Gras is More Than New Orleans.

When you hear “Mardi Gras” do you only think of New Orleans? Think again. Mardi Gras is celebrated around the state! Cajun Mardi Gras (yes, there is a Cajun spin on Mardi Gras) can be found in the Lafayette and Eunice area. In Baton Rouge, parades roll many weekends before and during Mardi Gras. Plan to experience some family-friendly Mardi Gras fun in Alexandria.  And all-year round, check out the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu in Lake Charles or Mardi Gras World in New Orleans to see real floats, costumes and everything Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also celebrated all over the world including many locations in Europe and massive celebrations are found in Brazil every year!

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SENIOR TRAVEL NEWS

Transportation Security Administration Information for Seniors

Screening for Passengers 75 and Older

Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk.

Screening Benefits

You may leave on your shoes and light jacket during screening.

If you alarm during security screening, you may be required to remove your shoes for further screening or undergo a pat-down. You can request to be seated during this portion of the screening.

Passengers 75 and older who are unable to stand for screening will be screened through other security methods.

Should you travel with medical devices and/or implants, other screening procedures may apply.

Disabilities and Medical Conditions

To ensure your security, all travelers are required to undergo screening at the checkpoint. You or your traveling companion may consult the TSA officer about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening process. You may provide the officer with the TSA notification card or other medical documentation to describe your condition. If you have other questions or concerns about traveling with a disability please contact passenger support.

You are required to undergo screening at the checkpoint by technology or a pat-down. If your TSA PreCheck® designation has been verified at a participating airport, you do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets during the screening process. However, if you are required to undergo additional screening for any reason, a pat-down may be required, which includes the removal of items such as shoes, belts, or light jackets. Also, TSA officers may swab your hands, mobility aids, equipment and other external medical devices to test for explosives using explosives trace detection technology.

Travelers with disabilities with TSA PreCheck® on their boarding passes will receive TSA PreCheck® on-person screening when screened in a standard lane for any reason. This may happen when the TSA PreCheck® lane is closed, for example. Carry-on baggage and other accessible property will undergo standard screening in standard lanes, including removal of laptops, 3-1-1- liquids, and CPAP/BPAP equipment.

REAL ID

Flying with a REAL ID

REAL ID deadline extended.

Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline. The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is May 3, 2023. Read the announcement.

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

Check for the star.

REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. If you’re not sure, contact your state driver’s license agency on how to obtain a REAL ID compliant card.

For information by state, including where to obtain a REAL ID, visit the DHS REAL ID website and click your state on the map.

About enhanced driver's licenses.

Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota, and New York states issue REAL ID and state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses, both of which are acceptable. Washington state issues enhanced driver’s licenses only.

State-issued enhanced driver's licenses are marked with a flag. These documents will be accepted at the airport security checkpoint when the REAL ID enforcement goes into effect.

It’s the law.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibit federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as getting through the airport security checkpoint to board a plane. Learn more about REAL ID enforcement.Top of Form

 For details on carry-on and additional screening information visit the link below:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening

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