In mid February the ancient Romans celebrated the Lupercalia, a circus like festival not entirely unlike the Mardi Gras we are familiar with today. When Rome embraced Christianity, the early Church fathers decided it was better to incorporate certain aspects of pagan rituals into the new faith rather than attempt to abolish them altogether. Carnival became a period of abandon and merriment that preceded the penance of Lent, thus giving a Christian interpretation to the ancient custom.

Mardi Gras came to America in 1699 with the French explorer Iberville. Mardi Gras had been celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages, where it was a major holiday. Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico, from where he launched an expedition up the Mississippi River. On March 3 of 1699, Iberville had set up a camp on the west bank of the river about 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today. This was the day Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France. In honor of this important day, Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras.

But the origins of the Mardi Gras we celebrate today - with Kings, Mardi Gras colors, and brass bands -- are traced to New Orleans.

MARDI GRAS CALENDAR DATES

Mardi Gras can fall on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9. Carnival celebration starts on January 6, the Twelfth Night (feast of Epiphany); and picks up speed until Midnight on Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday.

How will you know which Tuesday it will be? Ash Wednesday is always 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) and Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Easter can fall on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25 with the exact date to coincide with the first Sunday after the full moon following a Spring Equinox! There you have it! Voila!

If you're still confused, get out that calendar with the printed holidays on it--it's the day before Ash Wednesday!

Upcoming Mardi Gras Dates:

2010 February 16
2011 March 8
2012 February 21
2013 February 12
2014 March 4
2015 February 17

Celebrate the most decadent time of year by throwing a Mardi Gras Costume party! Everyone loves to celebrate putting their bad behaviors to the test right before Ash Wednesday, and a Mardi Gras Costume party is a terrific way spend Fat Tuesday on a happy note.

Typically Mardi Gras costumes are brightly colored outfits adorned with feathered or plastic masks in purple, green and gold. Often you will find Mardi Gras costumes to be as outrageous and flamboyant as the celebration itself. Boas, feathers, masks, beads and other gaudy jewelry epitomize this festive time during the spring of each year.