Ever wonder how the celebration of Mardi Gras came to be? According to the official Mardi Gras in New Orleans website, the origins of the celebration can be traced to medieval Europe and followed France into its colonies.

“On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it ‘Point de Mardi Gras’ when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday,” explained the website.

“Bienville also established ‘Fort Louis de Louisiane’ (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America’s very first Mardi Gras,” continued the website.

New Orleans was established as a city in 1718 and has openly celebrated Mardi Gras since the 1730s

“In the early 1940s, Louisiana’s governor established elegant society balls, which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras Balls of today,” said the website.

By the early 1870s the celebration resembled today’s festival and in 1875 the governor signed the ‘Mardi Gras Act’ making fat Tuesday a legal holiday in Louisiana—which it still is today!

This year Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and you don’t have to be in New Orleans to celebrate! There are many different places to celebrate the festival right here in Springfield.

Ruthies on C-Street is hosting “Mardi Gras on C-Street” on Feb. 22.  Festivities include masquerade karaoke, themed drinks and prizes for best costume singers.

There will also be an event called Eyes in Disguise on Feb. 29 at the Glendalough Convention Center. All proceeds from this event will benefit The Kitchen Foundation.

Mardi Gras is an exciting holiday. Many places in Springfield are hosting events, so it’s easy to get involved!

Article written by Marissa Mayfield.