PARTY ‘TIL YOUR HEELS FLY OFF: MEGA AUTHOR BLOG HOP TOUR – Mardi Gras Ball

The main school of thought concerning Mardi Gras, is it started thousands of years ago, as a celebration of fertility.  Eventually, the Catholic church became involved, in an effort, to stop parishioners from partaking in pagan festivals.  The Church changed the name to Carnival and had the season coincide with the seasons of the Catholic calendar.

Mardi Gras, at one time, began on Twelfth Night, January Sixth, each year.  Twelfth Night was the last of the twelve days of Christmas. However, now it is set to end forty-nine days before Easter Sunday.

Epiphany is the time, between Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras Day, when all the parades and balls are scheduled.

Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) is the last day of Epiphany.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten season, which runs for forty days, until Easter Sunday.

In 1743, New Orleans, celebrated its first Mardi Gras.  The authorities tried to stop the celebrations, but when they were unsuccessful, they decided to control them, instead.

Parades are public events, which anyone may attend, but the balls are private affairs for the Krewe members and their guests.  Most balls are held after the parade and the this is where the Royalty is announced as they make their way into the party.  Each parade has a King, queen, maids, lieutenants, laidies-in-waiting, and pages.  The balls are highly formal affairs with black-tie tuxedos and ball gowns.  Some balls are similar to masquerades, as they require attendees to where masks, headdresses, and costumes. Generally, each ball will share the theme of the Krewe, and revelers must include the theme in their outfits.

Mardi Gras Balls are steeped in tradition, and some are extravagant affairs.  If you ever get an invitation, clear your calendar and get ready for fun!

Comment my page and I’ll put your name in a drawing.

Also, feel free to add me and like my author page.

www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=511255176

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/monique-oconnor-james-author/151581321573144

TOUR RULES:

1)  HAVE FUN!!!

2)  INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3)  THIS TOUR STARTS:  Monday, June 13, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

      THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, June 20, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

      Winners will be drawn and posted June 21st! *** 

4)  MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5)  PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6)  DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN?  WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of  win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

Prizes for participation, including: Grand Prize – PDF copy of “The Keepers”

To continue to the next blog click here – http://authornicolehicks.blogspot.com/2011/06/pj-party-mega-author-blog-party-til.html

www.moniqueoconnorjames.com