Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday in French, is the final day of celebrations before ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. For weeks leading up to the fasting before easter, people feast and party in celebration. Here are a few fun facts about Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras season:

In some countries, Mardi Gras is also known as pancake day. In countries like Canada, Ireland, and England, people celebrate by eating pancakes and participating in pancake-themed activities.

There are three colors commonly used when celebrating Mardi Gras purple, green, and gold. Purple signifies justice, gold means power, and green stands for faith.

King's cake is eaten in celebration throughout the world during carnival season. It is usually decorated in purple, green, and gold sugar and has a hidden plastic baby inside. Whoever gets the piece with the hidden baby is said to have good luck all year and has to buy the next king cake. 

 The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana.

Around 1.4 million people visit New Orleans during the carnival season to partake in celebrations for the holiday.

Carnival season in New Orleans officially kicks off every year on Twelfth Night, which marks the Epiphany.

An estimated 25 million pounds of plastic beads are tossed in Mardi Gras each year in New Orleans.

By law, everyone on a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade float must wear a mask. In 2018, The Corps de Napoleon was fined $100 for having 23 unmasked riders on a Mardi Gras parade float in New Orleans.

Every year, about 500,000 king cakes are sold during carnival season. They are traditionally cinnamon or vanilla, but some bakeries add fruit and cream cheese. These newer flavors are increasing in popularity.

The oldest stateside Mardi Gras celebration took place in Mobile, Alabama, in 1703.