Mardi Gras Activities: Older Adult Seniors, Video 2:04

Growing up in New Orleans, I loved the magical season of Mardi Gras. Parades created wonderful memories for me. The excitement of swimming in an ocean of festivity, the buoyancy from living fantastic fantasies thrilled my senses. They connected me with the same wave of wonderment flowing through every child who ever lived on this planet. I store my memories in a marvelous, mental, treasure chest painted with purple, green, and gold brush strokes, the official colors of Mardi Gras. All grown up, I still smile when I look inside.

Many older adults will be smiling during Mardi Gras season this year and in the future. No matter where they live, people in cities across America love participating annually in this popular celebration. Mardi Gras day, known also as “Fat Tuesday,” falls on the day before the Christian season of Lent starts. Older adults celebrating this world-famous Carnival season often have parties and small parades. They can enjoy Mardi Gras activities explained at How to Celebrate Mardi Gras at Your Senior Facility.

Mardi Gras parades are not held on just one day. In New Orleans, street parades attracting thousands of local residents and curious tourists occur daily. It's a season with numerous parades, balls, and parties starting on January 6th. Parades are held during the day and at night until the biggest celebration on Mardi Gras Day, which can fall on any Tuesday between February 3rd and March 9th. These are upcoming Mardi Gras dates:

March 5, 2019
February 25, 2020
February 16, 2021
March 1, 2022
February 21, 2023
February 13, 2024
March 4, 2025
February 17, 2026
February 9, 2027

February 29, 2028

March 5, 2030

February 25, 2031,

February 10, 2032

March 1, 2033

February 21, 2034

February 6, 2035

February 26, 2036

February 17, 2037

March 9, 2038

February 22, 2039

February 14, 2040

March 5, 2041

February 18, 2042

February 10, 2043

March 1, 2044

February 21, 2045

February 6, 2046

February 26, 2047

February 18, 2048

March 2, 2049

February 22, 2050

Through the years, I have featured older adults celebrating Mardi Gras in various cities. Join residents in the Mardi Gras celebration video below. Hosted by the Osprey Lodge Assisted Living & Memory Care senior community in Tavares, Florida, the party has already started! Have some punch! As they say in New Orleans, “Laissez le bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!”

Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

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