Who can think of New Orleans without thinking Mardi Gras and vampires?
Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is the carnival celebration before the Catholic observation of Lent. The streets are alive with music and celebration but also with the Annual Mardi Gras Vampire Ball. As most vampire lovers know New Orleans is home to many fictional and historical tales about vampires.
New Orleans and Vampire Stories
The stories about vampires in New Orleans began almost as soon as New Orleans was settled. The city was lacking in population so there was a decree that went out across the ocean..it was an ad for wives. The ad told of a wonderful life in this new country full of wealth and lavish homes and celebration. The families were very quick about sending their young daughters here to become a bride of a wealthy gentleman in New Orleans.
The young girls were sent over with their belongings in a coffin like box. This was to serve two purposes: it saved on space for luggage and it also served as their coffin because many of them never made it across the ocean alive. When the new brides and their coffins arrived they were quarantined in the local convent until a short time subsided. At that time, the convent began to tack 800 blessed nails around their windows to keep them shut and the rumors began that the girls brought vampires over with them. This began the search for vampires in New Orleans.
Another strange tale of vampires in New Orleans is that of Jacques St. Germaine who came to New Orleans at the turn of the 19th century. One night a woman was found dead in his home from a bite mark to the neck. When police investigated more they found bottles of wine with hints of human blood in them. There are stories that you can see him return to his home and at that time women will disappear for three days and nights.
These stories and more were told as part of the the Trusted Tours Vampire Tour in New Orleans. I visited the city earlier this year and chose to take this wonderful tour as part of my visits around the city. It was very informative about the tales of vampires in New Orleans.
Anne Rice and New Orleans
New Orleans is also home to writer Anne Rice. Her Vampire Chronicles were written with a connection to New Orleans, in particularly Interview with the Vampire. New Orleans is the home of sexy vampire Louis. She also penned The Mayfair Witch series as being set in New Orleans.
Other vampire books set in New Orleans are:
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Fat Vampire Blues by Andrew Fox
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Eternal Desire by Roxanne Rhoads
- Southern Vampire Series- True Blood Books even have characters going to New Orleans later
Vampires Movies Set in New Orleans
Other Events in New Orleans
Local Ideas to Celebrate Mardi Gras and Vampires
So for those of you here in Lexington that are snowed in and can not celebrate Mardi Gras and Vampires here are a few ideas:
- Buy a vampire movie from the Hamburg Wal Mart. They have a whole rack of vampire movies for only $5.
- Visit the Hamburg Party City- their Mardi Gras decorations usually go on sale the day of. Buy some and have fun. They also have vampire costumes.
- Visit Kroger's and bake a Baby Cake except put a tiny vampire in it
- Visit Barnes and Noble or Joseph Beth's and buy any of the above listed books
So go and celebrate Mardi Gras the Vampire Way!
Lexington- Vampire- Examiner
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Comments
It sounds cool there. Maybe I will try for Mardi Gras next year
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