Twelfth Night

In New Orleans, the holiday season doesn't end on January 6, the Epiphany, but instead marks the beginning of Carnival.

As the reds and greens of the Christmas season come down, purple, green and gold buntings, garlands and beads are dragged down from attics and out of storage to continue the holiday season that started back in October with Halloween, through November/December with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, and will last until the strike of midnight on Shrove Tuesday.

Whether in New Orleans, during high school in Chattanooga or college and post-collegiate life in the District, Twelfth Night is a tradition I uphold. A King Cake Party in Lower School at Newman, a pot of Red Beans & Rice made by my mother, Popeye's and a six pack during college or now a New Orleans supper with friends, this celebration always makes me "Proud to Call New Orleans Home."

Photo Credit: Keith Marszalek/NOLA.com