Mini Mardi Gras Impresses with Mask Making and Food

Someone walking by M248 at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2023 might have heard unusual sounds of revelry spilling out of the room – for PVCC, at any rate. The French Club was holding their mini Mardi Gras celebration there, and everyone was invited.

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time of fasting and self-reflection in the days leading up to Easter. As the last day before all that self-deprivation, Mardi Gras celebrations are often raucous, filled with soon to be forbidden things, like sweets and non-religious music. Some places like to start the festivities as early as Jan. 6, all the way to the official day of Mardi Gras.

While not exactly raucous, the French Club’s celebration certainly had a lot to eat and drink. There was a large cinnamon roll covered in thick and colorful buttercream frosting  that we used as our King Cake. King Cakes are a traditional component of Mardi Gras, sold with a small plastic toy inside. Whoever gets the toy, which is often in the shape of a baby, is the one tasked with bringing the cake for next year’s celebration. Other refreshments included macarons; beignets, a French deep fried pastry common in New Orleans; and Orangina, a popular French drink, similar to carbonated orange juice.

Mask wearing is another common component of Mardi Gras, so the French Club set up supplies for everyone to make their own masks. To the lively soundtrack of Mardi Gras music, everyone carefully added decorations to the mask of their choosing. Feathers were a common choice, as was glitter, resulting in masks as distinct as everyone’s personalities.

While the celebration is over, the welcoming spirit of the club continues. As Club President Johnson Li said, “Participating in the French Club doesn’t mean you’re only focused on the language itself, but you are open to a lot of new experiences that dives you into French culture, food, music, and many other wonderful things.”