Beads - A Mardi Gras Tradition

Muncie Gras 2011 will be held March 19th, 2011- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie! This will be our 10th Anniversary Celebration!

One of the most popular Muncie Gras (and Mardi Gras) traditions...
beads!

Inexpensive strings of
beads and toys have been thrown from floats to parade-goers since at least the late 19th century. Until the 1960s, the most common form was multi-colored strings of glass beads made in Czechoslovakia. These were supplanted by less expensive and more durable plastic beads, first from Hong Kong, then from Taiwan, and more recently from China. Lower-cost beads and toys allow riders to purchase greater quantities and throws have become more numerous and common.

In the 1990s, many people lost interest in small, cheap
beads, often leaving them where they landed on the ground. Larger, more elaborate
metallic beads and strands with figures of animals, people, or other objects have become the sought-after throws.

With the advent of the 21st century, more sophisticated throws began to replace
simple metallic beads. Krewes started to produce limited edition beads and plush toys that are unique to the krewe. Fiber optic beads and LED-powered prizes are now among the most sought-after items. In a retro-inspired twist, glass beads have returned to parades. Now made in India, glass beads are one of the most valuable throws.

Two Muncie Gras Costume Contests!

Muncie Gras 2011 will be held March 19th, 2011- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie! This will be our 10th Anniversary Celebration!

Get started on your costumes NOW! Costumed revelers can compete two ways this year - one contest for the best Mardi Gras costume, mask or headpiece and a second contest for the most eco-friendly costume! This one will be judged on most stylish use for recycled materials.

In traditional Mardi Gras celebrations, costumes and outfits were always associated with the celebration. On their most basic level, traditional Mardi Gras costumes served as symbols of celebration: a chance to throw off the shackles of ordinary life and acknowledge the spirit of the proceedings. More specifically, they often emulated the costumes of authority figures, as a way of mocking or poking fun at them.

Traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, gold and green, and Mardi Gras costumes often feature them prominently. Tradition holds that Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff chose the colors--symbolic of his house--while visiting New Orleans in 1872. Purple represents Justice; Green represents Faith; Gold represents Power.

Traditional Mardi Gras costumes also symbolize excess, so they feature prominent accessories such as jewels, feathers and
beads. The latter are often worn around the neck or tossed from balconies by revelers.

Today is Mardi Gras!

Downtown Muncie is in its 10th year of celebrating its version of Mardi Gras, an annual winter celebration known locally as Muncie Gras.

Until recently, Muncie Gras has coincided with Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, but Indiana weather has forced the event to later in the year. This year's Muncie Gras, a 10th anniversary celbration, will be held March 19th, 2011- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie!

What is the history of Mardi Gras? From Wikipedia:

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in English) in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Carnival celebration well-known throughout the world.

The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in preparing for the start of the Christian season of Lent, starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany (January 6). It is a season of parades, balls (some of them masquerade balls), and king cake parties. It has traditionally been part of the winter social season; at one time "coming out" parties for young women at débutante balls were timed for this season.

Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), the day before Ash Wednesday. Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival, many events large and small occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.

The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss throws to the crowds;
the most common throws are strings of plastic colorful beads, doubloons (aluminum or wooden dollar-sized coins usually impressed with a krewe logo), decorated plastic throw cups, and small inexpensive toys. Major krewes follow the same parade schedule and route each year.

To New Orleanians, "Mardi Gras" specifically refers to the Tuesday before lent, the highlight of the season. The term can also be used less specifically the whole Carnival season, sometimes as "the Mardi Gras season". The term "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras Day" always refers only to that specific day.

Photo by Getty Images

New Muncie Gras ticket locations added!

Muncie Gras 2011 will be held March 19th, 2011- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie!

Get your tickets in advance and save! Tickets are $10 presale, or $15 at the gate. New ticket outlets have been added to the list, you can now get your tickets at ALL Muncie Liquor locations! See below for locations.

This will be our 10th Anniversary Celebration!
Stock up on your beads and get your advance tickets at these locations:

Party Wizards
**LOOK FOR THEIR EXCLUSIVE COUPON ON YOUR TICKET!**
700 W. McGalliard in Muncie

Muncie Liquors
All 6 Muncie Locations!
On W. McGalliard, N. Oakwood, S. Madison, S. Tillotson, Centennial Ave., & N. Wheeling Ave.

After Dark
3 Locations In Muncie, Marion & Anderson

Low Bob's Discount Tobacco
4 Muncie Locations!
On Memorial Dr., Tillotson Ave., Walnut St. & E. Main

Cirilla's
on East McGalliard in Muncie

Heritage Automotive
on St. Rd. 3 across from Tire Barn in New Castle

JR's Tropical Tan
at the corner of Streeter and Granville in Muncie

Kroakerheads
On Meridian St. in Downtown Anderson

Memories Bar & Grill
inside Raintree Inn across from Walmart in New Castle

Backstage Bar
On Walnut behind Centerstage in Muncie

Doc's Music Hall
on Walnut in Downtown Muncie

The Fickle Peach
on Charles St. in Downtown Muncie

Heorot Pub
on Walnut in Downtown Muncie

The Silo
on Walnut in Downtown Muncie

Searching for tickets by city?

ANDERSON
After Dark
Kroakerheads

MARION
After Dark

MUNCIE
Party Wizards - MCGALLIARD
After Dark - KILGORE
JR's Tropical Tan - STREETER
Cirilla's - MCGALLIARD
Low Bob's - 4 LOCATIONS! (see above)
Backstage Bar - Downtown Muncie
Doc's Music Hall - Downtown Muncie
Heorot Pub - Downtown Muncie
The Silo - Downtown Muncie
Fickle Peach - Downtown Muncie
Muncie Liquors - All 6 Muncie Locations! (see above)


NEW CASTLE
Heritage Automotive - on St. Rd. 3
Memories Bar & Grill - inside the Raintree Inn

Get started on your costumes NOW! Costumed revelers can compete two ways this year: first for the best Mardi Gras costume, mask or headpiece and a second contest for the most eco-friendly costume! This one will be judged on most stylish use for recycled materials.

Free Safe Rides To Muncie Gras!

Muncie Gras 2011 will be held March 19th, 2011- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie! This will be our 10th Anniversary Celebration!

MITS Trolley will provide a safe ride home, running from 7pm-3am to campus and outlying apartment complexes and hotels (Lee's Inn, Signature Inn, Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn, and Best Western).

Trolley stops will be made approximately every 20 minutes and will continue for one hour after the event is over.

Busnectar, the new "Campus to Downtown" weekend shuttle will also be providing free rides from Yorktown, campus and downtown.

This is a 21 and up event. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.

Get started on your costumes NOW! Costumed revelers can compete two ways this year: first for the best Mardi Gras costume, mask or headpiece and a second contest for the most eco-friendly costume! This one will be judged on most stylish use for recycled materials.

Bring your beads, or
buy them here. Either way...get ready to "Throw me something Mister!"

Check this website www.munciedowntown.us/munciegras or on facebook for entertainment updates and schedules, pre-sale ticket locations and MITS Trolley route.

Muncie Gras Ticket Locations

Muncie Gras 2011 will be held March 19th, 2011- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie! This will be our 10th Anniversary Celebration! Stock up on your beads and get your advance tickets at these locations:

Party Wizards
**LOOK FOR THEIR EXCLUSIVE COUPON ON YOUR TICKET!**
700 W. McGalliard in Muncie

After Dark
3 Locations In Muncie, Marion & Anderson

Low Bob's Discount Tobacco
4 Muncie Locations!
On Memorial Dr., Tillotson Ave., Walnut St. & E. Main

Cirilla's
on East McGalliard in Muncie

Heritage Automotive
on St. Rd. 3 across from Tire Barn in New Castle

JR's Tropical Tan
at the corner of Streeter and Granville in Muncie

Kroakerheads
On Meridian St. in Downtown Anderson

Memories Bar & Grill
inside Raintree Inn across from Walmart in New Castle

Backstage Bar
On Walnut behind Centerstage in Muncie

Doc's Music Hall
on Walnut in Downtown Muncie

The Fickle Peach
on Charles St. in Downtown Muncie

Heorot Pub
on Walnut in Downtown Muncie

The Silo
on Walnut in Downtown Muncie

Searching for tickets by city?

ANDERSON
After Dark
Kroakerheads

MARION
After Dark

MUNCIE
Party Wizards - MCGALLIARD
After Dark - KILGORE
JR's Tropical Tan - STREETER
Cirilla's - MCGALLIARD
Low Bob's - 4 LOCATIONS! (see above)
Backstage Bar - Downtown Muncie
Doc's Music Hall - Downtown Muncie
Heorot Pub - Downtown Muncie
The Silo - Downtown Muncie
Fickle Peach - Downtown Muncie

NEW CASTLE
Heritage Automotive - on St. Rd. 3
Memories Bar & Grill - inside the Raintree Inn

Get started on your costumes NOW! Costumed revelers can compete two ways this year: first for the best Mardi Gras costume, mask or headpiece and a second contest for the most eco-friendly costume! This one will be judged on most stylish use for recycled materials.

Muncie Gras 2011 Outdoor Stage Lineup Announced!

Let the good times roll! Muncie Gras 2011 is set for Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 7pm to 2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie!

Come on out and have a ball, there will be lots of activities, and tons of live entertainment indoors and out to keep you in the party mood throughout the evening.

Get started on your costumes NOW! Costumed revelers can compete two ways this year: first for the best Mardi Gras costume, mask or headpiece and a second contest for the most eco-friendly costume! This one will be judged on most stylish use for recycled materials.

Here is the entertainment lineup for the outdoor stages. There will be additional entertainment in all our indoor venues as well - don't miss it. And
don't forget your beads!


FM Music Stage
7-8-Inferno
8-Tonal Caravan
9-Wooden Boxes
10- When Not If
11-8 Stories High
12-Bonesetters
1-Catch Curtis

MAX Rocks Stage
7-8:00- Kixx Band
8:30-10:00- Naptown Strutters
10:30-12:00- Mike Milligan and Steamshovel
12:30-2:00- Mojo Gumbo

Bellydance Stage

7:30-8:00: Vashka & Hakan the Male Belly Dancer
8:15-8:45: Miss Hailyn Hoops & Sadiqa
9:00-9:30: Phoenix Fire Productions
9:45-10:15: From Pittsburgh: The lovely ladies of Sadiqa & Hakan
10:30-11:00: Carenza's Caravan
11:15-11:45pm: Miss Hailyn Hoops & Sarabi
12:00-12:30am: Phoenix Fire Productions
12:45-1:15: Carenza's Caravan
1:30-2:00: Phoenix Fire Productions

After Dark Decadence Tent

7-8 Amateur Hour- magic, think you can dance, think you got talent
8-10 Windy Blew and Company- Female Impersonators
10-11- Female Review
11-12 Male Review
12-2 Windy Blew and Company- Female Impersonators Female Revue