New Orleans has Louisiana’s largest and most known Mardi Gras, but nearly every community in the state has its own version of the annual party. Mardi Gras refers to events leading up to Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Mardi Gras, this year on Feb. 17, is French for Fat Tuesday, which refers to the practice of eating rich foods before the religious obligations of Lent. The period leading up to Fat Tuesday is known as the Carnival season. Parades are the most popular public activity during the days leading up to Fat Tuesday. Parades are organized by private social clubs called krewes. The New Orleans area has more than 60 parading krewes and there are many more throughout the state.