Your weekly guide to the events and happenings in and around Boyertown, PA
What to do? Where to go? Here is your one stop list of community events, music, arts, food, business specials, and historic events for Boyertown and beyond…
As a Boyertown graduate, a real estate agent at Glocker Realty, and also a proud member of Building a Better Boyertown, I have had the joy of watching our little town grow. I enjoy having any part in helping our community to move forward. I hope this weekly blog will help shine a light on all the great things happening in and around Boyertown, PA
Here is what’s going down during the week of 2/24/2022 – 3/2/2022
Mardi Gras – A World Celebration
Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday that is celebrated with extravagant parties and parades throughout the world. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it is celebrated in many countries and culminates on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. From Brazil’s Huge floats and dancers, Venice’s elaborate masks and costumes, to the vibrant parades and beads in New Orleans, the festivities draw in thousands of tourists and revelers every year to celebrate this iconic Tuesday, also known as “Fat Tuesday”. Fat Tuesday is on March 1st this year.
How did Mardi Gras begin?
Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, originates from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence.
The tradition dates back thousands of years to the pagan celebrations of spring and fertility. When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith. As a result, the excess and indulgence of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread throughout Europe and worldwide.
When did Mardi Gras begin in the US?
The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when a pair of French explorers landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot “Point du Mardi Gras”.
In the decades that followed, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners. When the Spanish took control of New Orleans, however, they abolished these rowdy rituals, and the bans remained in force until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812.
On Mardi Gras in 1827, a group of students donned colorful costumes and danced through the streets of New Orleans, emulating the revelry they’d observed while visiting Paris. Ten years later, the first recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place, a tradition that continues to this day.
The modern-day New Orleans Mardi Gras is celebrated from Twelfth Night (January 5th) to Ash Wednesday. During this time, there will be public festivities throughout the city that include, parties, marching bands, highly adorned floats, costumes, throwing beads, lavish decorations, and music. On Fat Tuesday at midnight, the police clear the streets and Mardi Gras officially ends in observance of Lent.
How is Mardi Gras celebrated around the world?
Brazil – The weeklong Carnival festivities feature a vibrant amalgam of European, African and native traditions.
Canada – Quebec City hosts the giant Quebec Winter Carnival and has a snowman mascot known as “bonhomme de neige”.
Italy – Tourists flock to Venice’s Carnevale, which dates back to the 13th century and is famous for its masquerade balls.
Germany – The celebration, known as Karneval, Fastnacht or Fasching, includes parades, costume balls and a tradition that empowers women to cut off men’s ties.
Colombia – The city of Barranquilla kicks off this four-day extravaganza of parades and music with the “Battle of the Flowers”.
United Kingdom – Mardi Gras is celebrated as Pancake Day.
These are just a few of the Mardi Gras or Carnival celebrations that take place around the world each year. You might want to choose one, or a few of these to add to your bucket list. Whichever you choose, it is sure to be a celebration that you won’t forget.
Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnival Trivia: (Answers are listed after the events below)
- When was the earliest known carnival celebration?
- Where was the first known carnival celebration?
- When was the first known New Orleans Mardi Gras parade?
- What is the signature Mardi Gras dessert?
- What is traditionally hidden inside of a king cake?
- If you get the baby in your slice of king cake at a Mardi Gras party, what do you traditionally have to do?
- On average, how many people typically visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras every year?
- How many pounds of beads are thrown during an average New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration?
- Carnival comes from the Latin phrase “carne vale,” which means what?
Find the answeres at the bottom of the page!
LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at your community each week on “The Cast at Glocker”! Matt Green & Jeff Frederick interview local entrepreneurs and those involved in helping the Boyertown area communities. You can catch us every Wednesday at 6pm as we livestream at the Glocker Realty & Insurance Facebook and YouTube pages. Join us live, comment, post questions, and be part of the conversation!
This past Wednesday we interviewd Ashley, who is the owner of Stirrups Mobile Bar Co. See the interview below:
EVENTS LIST
THURSDAY 2/24/2022
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
FRIDAY 2/25/2022
- Kim $ Paul (live music) – Ron’s Crooked Hill Tavern, Pottstown 7-10pm
- Kareoke Night – The Bally Hotel, Bally 7pm-1am
- Philly Heart and Soul (live music) – Creekside Sports Bar & Grille, Royersford 8-12pm
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
SATURDAY 2/26/2022
- Flora and Fauna Exhibition – Studio B Art Gallery, Boyertown 12-2pm
- Michael Kropp (live music) – Adello Vineyard & Winery, Perkiomenville 2-5pm
- Come to the Table FREE MEAL – St John’s Lutheran Church of Boyertown 4:30-5:30pm
- Flora and Fauna Exhibition – Studio B Art Gallery, Boyertown 5-8pm
- Sean Big Sexy Merkels 10th Annual Beef & Beer – Bechtelsville Fire Co, Bechtelsville 7pm
- Good Lovin’ Jamband (live music) – Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie 7-10pm
- Stand Up Saturday (live comedy) – Barrel & Ale, Boyertown 8pm
- Atomic Blonde and The Sneaks (live music) – Creekside Sports Bar & Grille, Royersford 8-12pm
- Get your Groove on Saturday Night! – Washington Grille & Pub, Bechtelsville 9pm
- Saturday Night Karaoke – Durango’s Saloon, Boyertown 10pm-1:30am
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
SUNDAY 2/27/2022
- Snowflake Special w/ brunch option (train ride) – Colebrookdale Railroad, Boyertown 11am
- Flora and Fauna Exhibition – Studio B Art Gallery, Boyertown 12-2pm
- Mason Jar Wooden Centerpiece Class – Ridgewood Winery on Daffodil Hill Farm, Bechtelsville, 1-3:30pm
- Kim $ Paul (live music) – Adello Vineyard & Winery, Perkiomenville 1-4pm
- Flora and Fauna Exhibition – Studio B Art Gallery, Boyertown 5-8pm
- Shot of Southern – Creekside Sports Bar & Grille, Royersford 2-6pm
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
MONDAY 2/28/2022
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
TUESDAY 3/1/2022
- MARDI GRAS! (Fat Tuesday)
- Trivia Tuesday – Doc’s Irish Pub, Gilbertsville 8pm
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
WEDNESDAY 3/2/2022
- Q&A with Kendra and Autumn (facebook live) – Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles 2-2:15pm
- The Cast at Glocker w/ Junior Woman’s Club of Boyertown (facebook live) – Glocker Realty & Insurance 6-7pm
- Uncharted (movie) – The State Theatre, Boyertown
Life is a celebration.
*************
Answers to the trivia questions:
- 1294 2. Nice, France 3. 1837 4. King Cake 5. A plastic baby 6. Buy next year’s cake or host next year’s party 7. Louisiana, Florida, Alabama 8. 1.4 million 9. 25 million 10. Farewell to meat
Have this event blog sent directly to your email each week!
If you would like your event posted email me at jeff@glocker.com
For real estate assistance contact Jeff Frederick at jeff@glocker.com or call/text at 610-766-2028.
WoW ! Thank you ! What a wonderful way to stay connected to our community! Looking forward to great things to come !