This Saturday marks the third annual Mardi Gras Festival at Power Plant Live near the Inner Harbor. Beginning from 9 p.m. and running through midnight, there will be fire breathers, stilt walkers and beads up and down the street.
But what exactly is Mardi Gras, apart from French for "Fat Tuesday" and something they do down in New Orleans? Where does it come from?
Mardi Gras refers to the Carnival celebrations, which begin either on or after Epiphany and end the day before Ash Wednesday. It is characterized by eating rich, fatty foods (hence the term "Fat Tuesday") in preparation for the Lenten season, which traditionally includes ritual fasting.
These days, Mardi Gras has come to be associated with wearing masks and costumes, dancing, parades and other social events.
Different cities celebrate this holiday in different ways, varying even the length of the celebrations. Some cities celebrate from Epiphany through Ash Wednesday, while others only celebrate the three days before Ash Wednesday.
Whatever your view on Mardi Gras, Baltimore has several celebrations all over the city for this holiday.
Other than the festival at Power Plant, there is a Big Fat Tuesday Party down at Pazo in Fells Point, where there will be a DJ and a three-course meal for $40.
There will also be Mardi Gras celebrations on Dulaney Valley Road. Local music will be featured, and the entire event, which also doubles as a fundraiser, will be emceed by WBAL-11 NBC TV news anchor Stan Stovall.
The Mardi Gras North Masquerade Ball at Fells Point will include live music, and costumes are highly encouraged.
However you decide to celebrate Mardi Gras, Baltimore offers a variety of choices for you to indulge in on Fat Tuesday.
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