Mardi Gras Celebrations

    Carnival in New Orleans culminates today with “Mardi Gras” – the traditional day of pleasure and sin before Ash Wednesday and solmenity of Lent.

    FOX News Radio’s Eben Brown reports:

    Visitors donned with masks and costumes are here in droves to join Venetians for the last day of Carnival, known as Martedi Grasso, or Fat Tuesday.

    The Venice Carnival began in the 11th century as a time to indulge and consume sweets and meat before Lent. Carnival literally means “a farewell to meat”.

    This year Venetians say there are fewer costumes. Maria, of the Auqavenice B & B, agrees that there’s a rather depressed atmosphere.

    (Italian)

    But now, throngs are here on San Marco’s Square and at midnight the gondolas will make their silent procession down the Grand Canal.

    In Venice, Courtney Walsh, FOX News Radio