Mardi Gras is a yearly celebration in Louisiana, giving college students in the Pelican State another reason to take a break and celebrate.
When people think of Mardi Gras, they usually think about going down to New Orleans, ordering Hurricanes, going on Bourbon street and watching the parades. It is a time for people to party and celebrate years of tradition in Louisiana.
Although Monroe had its Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras parade Saturday, many in the city will make sure they also attend the bigger parades in New Orleans.
Kat Ashby, a senior health care management and marketing major, plans to spend her break in New Orleans.
“I plan on hanging out with my friends once I get to New Orleans,” Ashby said. “It will be a lot of fun as it usually is celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans.”
Although going to New Orleans for the popular tradition may be tempting, some may just want to relax at home.
For LaToya Smith, a senior medical laboratory science major, the Mardi Gras break will be spent relaxing at home here in Monroe.
“I don’t have any specific plans,” Smith said. “I will probably relax, have a little ‘me’ time and prepare for my certification exam.”
However you spend your Mardi Gras break, make sure you do it safely and responsibly. As they say in the Big Easy, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” Or as we say in Monroe, “Let the good times roll!”