Race, culture, and data of Mardi Gras

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Sociological Images has a series of several intriguing posts about Mardi Gras from a social and cultural perspective. Here is a sample of their posts:

• Race and Mardi Gras in Mobile, AL
• Mardi Gras Krewes, tourism, and segregation
• Where the beads come from

The Atlantic Cities profiles "the largest street fair on the planet," with an estimated 6 million revelers at Carnaval in Brazil:

"There will be 14,454 policemen and 985 traffic guards on duty this Carnaval. 1,050 urban cleaning workers will collect over 600 tons of trash... 'Operation Dry Law' ticketed 786 drunk drivers; and the 'Shock of Order' seized 3,700 cans of beer, 1,100 bottles of water, 71 coolers, costumes, spray foam and cigarettes from unlicensed street vendors."

And the Census Bureau is tweeting (@uscensusbureau) about king cake and other Mardi Gras facts and figures.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau twitter feed