The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
MARDI GRAS TO
 BE CELEBRATED
 ON GRAND SCALE
L. & N. Railroad Gives Information About
 Carnival
COAST CITIES MAKING
 GREAT PREPARATIONS
Railroads Ready To Handle Throngs Seeking Receration
 At Annual Event

Mardi Gras. what it is, where it is celebrated. and how to get there is de- scribed in detail in matter submitted for publication by the Louisville and Nashville railroad. The publicity department of the road submits the following:
 Anticipating general interest in the Mardi Gras festivities this year and in order to properly take care of our patrons from this territory, arrange ments have been made to operate the annual Mardi Gras, personally con- ducted train from Birmingham and Montgomery, to Mobile and New Or leans leaving Birmingham Saturday evening, March l, 1924, on the fol- lowing schedule:
 Saturday. March 1, leave Birming- ham, 10 80 p. m.; Sunday, Mrach 2, lenve Montgomery, :03 a. m.; Sun day, March 2, leave Mobile. 6 10 a. m. {: Sunday, March 2, arrive New Orleans, 10 :06 q. m.
 This special train will consist of mod ern electric lighted vestibule coaches an ddrawing room sleeping cars togeth- CT with dining car.
 In addition to the above, this com pany operates daily three through yes tibnle trains between Birmingham and Mobile and New Orleans leaving Bir- mingham daily at g :17 a. m., 4 p. m., and The Pan-American at 1O:T D. m.
 Special Rates
 Reduced rates of fare for the round trip have been authorized from many points in the southeast territory to New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola.
 Stop overs are permitted on special tickets at all points en route either going or returning. The dates of sale are:
 To New Orleans, February 26 to March 3, inclusive; to Mobile, Feb ruary 2S to March 3. inclusive; to Pensacola, February 9 to March 8, inclusive.
 Return Limit--March il, 1924.
 Extension of return limit by deposit ing ticket with validating agent upon payment of fee of S1 an extension of final return limit ok ticket can be se- cured to March %, 1924.
 Mardi Gras Features
 Mardi Gras-The season of revelry Orleans the center toward which tens VI tAVun1h0H VI tOuEiBtS rate-will be restored to the fullness of it's prewar glory in 1924.
 Fifteen recognized carnival organiza- tion will put on typical Mardi Gras balls, leading up the week of the Mardi Gras fun. They are all going to con- tribute their energies toward making the coming season, the biggest ever.
 The climax of all the fun will come on Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, March 4, the Association of Commerce of New Orleans announces.
 The promiscuOus masking on Mardi Gras Day will be more in evidence this year than ever. accroding to those whose business it is to supply the thousands of costumes.
 Four magnificent street pageants- three of them at night-will be put on, in accordance with the following sched- ule:
 The Krewe of Momus, (night), Thursday, February 29; the Krewe of Proteus (night), Monday, March B.; the Krewe of Rex (Mardi Gras Day), Tuesday. March 4; the Krewe of Comus (Mardi Gras Night), Tuesday, March 4.
 Origin Of Custom
 Mardi Gras was originated by the French in 1927. The idea of presenting scenes on floats moving around the streets WAS inaugurated in 1S57 The Carnival celebration in New Orleans in the past few years has surpassed all similar events occurring either in Europe or in this country.
 On Monday Rex arrives. Coming up the river on his private yacht, he is greeted by naval and military escort, by his knights and retinue, and af- ter parading the streets, receives the key of the city. At night the Krewe of PrOteus hold their parade of brilliantly lighted floats, followed by a magnificent ball and tableaux.
 On Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day, early in the morning, the maskers begin to appear from all parts of the city. They come on foot, on horseback, and in every conceivable sort of conveyance. Dressed in garish costume, they con- gregate for many imprOmptu frolics.
 The streets are thronged with vis- itors and tourists. and the day is one of gayety always long to be remem- bered Undoubtedly, this features of Mardi Cras is the most unique enter tainment on the continent. The crowds are unusually gay and orderly. Good hum0r abOunds, and since Rex holds the keys to the city, the streets be- long to the maskers and the visitors.
 At high noon, the streets are cleared and the King rides through the crowds in his royal chariot, followed by long line of beautiful floats. After the royal floats disappear, the maskers and crowd again take possession of the streets, where the revelling continue until the setting of the sun. Rex ball is held in the evening.
 Mardi Gras begins February 2S, 1924, and ends on Mardi Gras Day, March I. 1924. During the Mardi Gras season. New Orleans is crowded to capacity.