Mardi Gras Expert – Arthur Hardy

In this episode, I talk with Arthur Hardy, the founder and publisher of Arthur Hardy’s annual Mardi Gras Guide. Arthur’s guide is THE resource for Mardi Gras. It contains everything you need to help you enjoy the Carnival season, including parade maps, history, insider tips and more.

Listen in as we discuss the history of Carnival and how to get the most out of your experience. Do you know when float riders started tossing beads and trinkets to the crowd? How does someone get to be king or queen of Carnival? Can I participate in Mardi Gras? By the end of the discussion you’ll have the answers to these questions and more!

Resources

Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide is a must for anyone planning to attend parades in New Orleans. Locals like me tuck it into a backpack and refer to it throughout the season. Even if you can’t make it to the Crescent City for Carnival (and you really should!) the Guide is a great way to get a taste of the season from wherever you are.

Arthur has also published a beautiful book, called Mardi Gras in New Orleans: an Illustrated History. If you want to go deep on the history of Carnival, this is the book for you. Incredible photographs of parades, costumes, ball favors and more. The book also has an encyclopedic listing of the history of every Carnival krewe, including royalty for each year and even weather reports! Check it out.

You can also follow the Mardi Gras Guide on Facebook.

A Special Thanks! 

This interview was conducted at The Morning Call in City Park. The Morning Call is a wonderful place to enjoy your café au lait and beignets away from the hustle of the French Quarter. After indulging in beignets, the kids can run around on the adjacent playground and burn off the powdered sugar.

No kids? Great – take a walk in the grove of 800 year old live oaks just behind The Morning Call. You’ll find wonderful WPA-era walking bridges, fountains and sculptures.  Perfect for walking off a few calories and taking beautiful photographs to document your time in New Orleans.

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