Mardi Gras Maryland:
Cure Cabin Fever with a Party Mardi Gras Maryland Style
February is a time when cabin fever begins to set in. The holidays are long gone, and the winter weather has kept us indoors for what seems like an eternity. The start of spring is just a month away, but we know those weeks of waiting won’t go by quickly. Luckily, late February offers us a perfect escape from the restlessness and irritability that is all too common this time of year. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a day of feasting and celebration, and it’s a great way to cure a case of cabin fever. So, break out the beads, fry up some pancakes, and party away those winter woes.
Decorations
Central to any Mardi Gras celebration are the vibrant decorations. The holiday’s colors of gold, purple, and green should dominate. Masks and the fleur de lis are popular Mardi Gras symbols, and French Quarter street signs will further help you set the scene. Beads, streamers, and twinkle lights can be wrapped around fences and deck railings, while tables should be topped with confetti and small flambeaux for a traditional touch.
If the weather is mild, we recommend holding the event outdoors. A deck or patio is a great place for a celebration, and it will feel great getting out of the house for a night. If you’re using a deck, do a thorough deck inspection before guests arrive. Make sure railings and steps are secure, look for fresh signs of wood rot, and check fasteners for rust or other damage. If your inspection turns up any problem areas, give Maryland’s deck construction experts at Excel Fencing & Decking a call. We’ll have you all fixed up well before the good times roll.
Guests
Make sure your friends and family are ready for the party by encouraging them to attend dressed in costumes and masks. Masquerade parties are great for Mardi Gras Maryland style, but make sure to have extra masks in case any partygoers arrive empty handed. As guests enter the house, greet each with a necklace of beads.
Music
Music is a big part of a Mardi Gras celebration, but not just any tunes will do. Big brass, zydeco, and upbeat jazz are sounds of the season that will put guests into the carnival atmosphere. Parades also are part of the holiday experience, so if your party is big enough, throw your own parade, or at least have a dance line.
Food
The best part of a Mardi Gras party is the food. We get to indulge in delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine with festive fare like jambalaya, gumbo, dirty rice, and shrimp and sausage po’boys. Of course, it’s not a Mardi Gras party without the king cake, that ring of delicious dough topped with icing and purple, gold, and green sugar. Just don’t forget the baby! Tradition holds putting a small plastic baby in the cake, with whoever finds it being tasked with providing the cake for next year’s festivities. Finally, no Fat Tuesday would be complete without the time-honored, traditional pancakes. Add some food coloring to give them vibrant colors and cover with icing and sugar.
It’s impossible to suffer from cabin fever when consumed with the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras. If you need any deck repairs or other work before your big celebration, the friendly and knowledgeable workers at Excel Fencing & Decking in Maryland are just a phone call away. Just save us a bowl of the jambalaya!