Early Mardi Gras in Pensacola

Good grief! Mardi Gras comes early this year. Chicago's suburban Daily Herald already is promoting Pensacola area parades and other celebratory activities.

Time was, folk complained about Christmas decorations going up before Labor Day. Now, it's Mardi Gras promotions before Christmas!

Want to mark your calendar? Here's a nearly impenetrable explanation of how to do it, courtesy of Mardi Gras New Orleans:

You'll find the big day can fall on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9. Carnival celebration starts on January 6, the Twelfth Night (feast of Epiphany); and picks up speed until Midnight on Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday.

How will you know which Tuesday it will be? Ash Wednesday is always 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) and Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Easter can fall on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25 with the exact date to coincide with the first Sunday after the full moon following a Spring Equinox! There you have it!

Got that? Pop quiz before the end of class.