CHERIE CLAIRE

For those of you who live outside Louisiana and the day before Ash Wednesday is just another Tuesday, here's a 10-point primer on everything Mardi Gras. 1. Mardi Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, a day to live it up before you give it up. In 2019, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, March 5. The bulk of parades and other festivities occur the two weeks prior with most happening on the weekend prior. 2. Carnival is the season that begins on Twelfth Night or Jan. 6 and culminates at

A short story about the love of Mardi Gras parade watching in New Orleans.