From the revelers on horseback in Eunice and Mamou to the miles-long New Orleans parade routes lined with eager spectators shouting “Throw me something, mister!,” no other Louisiana tradition celebrates the Pelican State’s cultural heritage quite like Mardi Gras. In Carnival in Louisiana, Brian J. Costello offers Mardi Gras fans an insider’s look at the customs associated with this popular holiday and travels across the state to explore each area’s festivities.
Costello brings together the stories behind the tradition, gleaned from his research and personal involvement in Carnival. His fascinating tour of the season’s parades, balls, courirs, and other events held throughout Louisiana go beyond the well-known locales for Mardi Gras. Exploring the diverse cultural roots of state-wide celebrations, Costello includes festivities in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Roads, and Shreveport. From venerable floats to satirical parades, exclusive events to spontaneous street parties, Carnival in Louisiana is an indispensable guide for Mardi Gras attendees, both veteran Krewe members seeking to expand their horizons and first-time tourists hoping to experience of all sides of Louisiana’s favorite season.
Brian J. Costello, an eleventh generation Louisianan, has written many books on the state's history. He is the historian of the Pointe Coupee Parish Library Historic Materials Collection and he reigned as King of the 2009 New Roads Lions Mardi Gras Carnival.
Praise for Carnival in Louisiana
“A comprehensive book that showcases the diversity of our state, its varied culture and traditions showing up in a statewide free party that attracts the world.”—The Daily Advertiser
“New ground is broken here as Louisiana will finally have a comprehensive overview of Mardi Gras across the state. Brian Costello is to be congratulated for this undertaking.”—Arthur Hardy, publisher of annual Mardi Gras Guide magazine and author of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, An Illustrated History
“Brian Costello’s new book is an amazing and comprehensive resource for Louisiana’s Carnival history, revealing the mores and customs in every area of the state. Since I am most familiar with New Orleans’s Mardi Gras, I was fascinated with the history and descriptions of celebrations in cities such as Shreveport and Alexandria and delighted to learn more about rural traditions. All in all, this is an interesting look at a societal idiosyncrasy of our beloved region.”—Priscilla Lawrence, Executive Director, The Historic New Orleans Collection
