Mardi Gras Spanish Town stoop, 1.10.17

Photos by Collin Richie.

This is Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge

By

Benjamin Leger, Jennifer Tormo Alvarez and Kaci Yoder

-

January 31, 2017

We think we know everything there is to know about Mardi Gras.

We’ve grown up perched on our dads’ shoulders at parades, danced under the shade of trees draped with beads and elbowed our way to the best throws more times than we can count. We’ve eaten every variety of king cake and sipped beer out of every size of plastic cup tossed off a float. What is there to say about Mardi Gras that hasn’t already been said?

In Baton Rouge, though—neighbor to the city most synonymous with Mardi Gras—the annual tradition entwines more deeply with our culture and history than many realize. Carnival season takes its own form here, and for many in Baton Rouge, it’s not just a once-a-year party but a way of life. While we’re sweeping up the debris at the end of the parade, our krewes are already planning their entire year around the next Mardi Gras, our bakeries wrapping up plans for thousands of cakes and our costume designers sketching out extravagant designs for next year’s balls.

Take a look behind the curtain and beyond the polished, finished floats at the hundreds of hours of creativity, choreography, labor and libations that make Mardi Gras happen in Baton Rouge.

ZULU BY THE SLICE
The history of Ambrosia Bakery’s distinctive Zulu King Cake

THE BEAD MAN
The story of Parties Start Here owner Nelson Maddox

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED
Come January, it’s raining beads at this Mardi Gras supply store

LET’S PRANCE
Babycakes brings its recognizable element of fun and dance to BR parades

FLOAT ON
Inside the preparation of Mardi Gras floats

STOP, DROP AND ROLL
Some scenes and stats from previous Carnival festivities in the Capital City

WANT SOME MOWER
Behind the Krewe of Yazoo’s unique brigade of lawnmowers

BEHIND THE SEAMS
The time and effort put into the best costume ball in town

THROW ME SOMETHING, MISTER!
The wide variety of throws you’ll want to snap this Carnival season

CARNIVAL TIME
Your guide to all the top parades in Baton Rouge this Mardi Gras season

This article was originally published in the February 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.

By Benjamin Leger

Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades.

By Jennifer Tormo Alvarez

Jennifer Tormo Alvarez was the editor of “225” for nearly 11 years, leading the magazine through two print and digital redesigns, three anniversary years, a flood and the pandemic. She is obsessed with restaurant interiors, sparkling water, Scorpio astrology memes and, admittedly, the word “obsessed.” She is willing to travel to see indie bands in concert, but even better if they play a show at Chelsea’s Live.