Why is New Orleans the Mardi Gras hub of the world?

'That's the magic of Mardi-Gras - it's a gumbo.'

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a time of celebration! Gold, green and purple masks, beads, floats, costumes and even food mark the occasion. Every year, the greatest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States can be found in New Orleans - but how did the Louisiana city gain its fame and why is it Mardi Gras central?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - New Orleans is known for two major reasons: It's delicious food and the amazing Mardi Gras celebrations.

Back in 1699, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and his band of French-Canadian explorers founded "Point du Mardi Gras" approximately 60 miles from modern-day New Orleans.

New Orleans was founded nearly 20 years later.

Arthur Hardy, author of "Mardi Gras Guide," told TIME Carnival, another name for Mardi Gras, was first celebrated in Mobile, AL - but the excitement and greater parties came to New Orleans.

"Sometimes I jokingly say '[Mobile] had it first, but [New Orleans] told them where to put it. The men who started the first Mardi Gras organization in New Orleans were from Mobile, and they actually borrowed [traditions from] Mobile's Mardi Gas-style parade."

The main difference between the two? Hardy claims Mobile's parades initially had nothing to do with Mardi Gras. They were simply New Year's Eve celebrations.

Later in the 18th century, New Orleans became a prominent port city with many strong Catholic families. Fat Tuesday celebrations spread and soon elaborate galas were held.

Those who attended the parties wore masks to hide their identities, allowing them to celebrate without concern for their reputation.

When the Spanish came into power and the Louisiana purchase came to pass, there was a temporary Mardi Gras ban until New Orleans residents fought for the reinstatement of galas in 1823.

The parades we recognize today began nearly 50 years later, when non-profit secret societies began to orchestrate parades. These groups began the tradition of presenting themed floats during the public parades, which was extremely popular and put New Orleans on the map as a festival venue.

Hardy explained the parades are "like a six-mile family picnic. Anybody can go, and it's a remarkably safe and wholesome event.

"You don't watch Mardi Gras parades, you're a part of it. There's very few entertainment venues where they give you a free show and free gifts to take home with you after."

In the past 16 years, Mardi Gras parades have only been cancelled 13 times - primarily due to Civil, Korean and World wars. After Hurricane Katrina, many worried the parade would be canceled but officials allowed it, boosting the city's morale.

Mark Roming, the President of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation and IPA announce for the city's NFL team, explained: "People thought that there was no way the city would be able to embrace its culture and tradition after Katrina, but Mardi Gras proved to the country that [New Orleans] would come back.

"That's the magic of Mardi-Gras - it's a gumbo. And they don't water it down. They add richness."

Louisiana is the only U.S. state to declare Mardi Gras a legal holiday and Hardy said New Orleans celebrates 35 distinct parades, 50 if the outskirt towns are included. If you're near New Orleans for Mardi Gras, grab a mask, eat some King Cake and go with the flow!

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