Mardi is how celebrate ourselves. The words literally mean “Fat Tuesday” in French, and though come from a specific, religious point of origin, the celebration has come to mean something much broader throughout the Americas.

 

It’s unfortunate that popular media has falsely portrayed Mardi Gras as a debaucherous event for adults only. In reality, in New Orleans, Brazil, the Caribbean, and elsewhere, “Carnival” is a delightful celebration for children, adults, and families. It is food, costumes, music, and parades for all, and every place does it in its own way.

 

Every place that celebrates Mardi Gras is celebrating itself. That’s why we call our celebration the City of Trees Parade. This parade and festival is not about pretending to be somewhere else, it is about completely embracing who WE are in Sacramento.

 

And Sacramento can’t celebrate itself without embracing diversity. We are one of the most diverse cities in the country and in the world. Just like in New Orleans, the proverbial melting pot of Sacramento’s long (and difficult) history involving peoples both immigrant and indigenous has created a unique flavor with as many tastes as our streets have trees.

 

This is a time to celebrate ourselves just because we can. This is the time to eat your favorite foods, put on your loudest clothes or your wackiest costume, dance and be completely extra. This is the time to be the MOST of whoever you are, and that’s what this celebration means to us here in Sacramento.

 

If you want to know more about American Mardi Gras history, you can read more about that here. If you’re curious about the City of Trees Parade specifically, check out our parade page here. We‘ll be announcing our exciting parade lineup in January, so stay tuned and be sure to grab your tickets here.

 

Let the good times roll!