Contributed by CW Burke

What we know call Mardi Gras began in ancient Rome as a mid-February, circus-like celebration called Lupercalia. When Rome eventually embraced Christianity, the highest Church Fathers incorporated Lupercalia into the new faith, renaming it Carnival and explaining the celebration as a period of merriment and abandon before the penance of Lent.

Mardi Gras came to America in 1699 through French explorers and brothers Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Mardi Gras had been celebrated in Paris since 1291 and had been a major holiday since the Middle Ages. The Le Moyne brothers, landing in the Gulf of Mexico and traveling north along the Mississippi River, camped and celebrated Mardi Gras on March 3, 1699 from a location 60 miles south of what is now New Orleans. In honor of the day, Iberville named their site "Point du Mardi Gras."

A Guide to Williamsburg, VA Parks

Contributed by CW Burke

There is no better way to enjoy the outdoors this Fall and Winter than by spending time in the beautiful local Williamsburg parks! Can't decide which of the many parks to visit? I can hopefully help you decide by outlining the details of each of the major parks (you should really visit them all and determine in which space you feel best, but all the parks are great, so that decision will be a tough one).

Contributed by CW Burke

In Williamsburg, October means HOWL-O-SCREAM! The Busch Gardens park hours are 10 AM to 10 PM Fridays and Sundays, 10 AM to 11 PM Saturdays in October. Howl-O-Scream attractions begin at 6:00 PM on each day. Just as it's getting dark! Goodbye light, hello night! Night, have you brought terror? Yes? Great!  Check out this video - the scare is everywhere!

That empty amphitheater will soon be filled WITH ROCK as the return of Summer brings the return of the Lake Matoaka Summer Concert Series to the Lake Matoaka Amphitheater. The season begins on Friday, May 21st at 6:30pm and continues every other Friday at 6:30pm through June, July, and August. Ticket prices vary from show to show, but a season ticket pass is only $35 per person and gains entry into all seven shows.

Who is playing? Some of the best and most popular local bands. Performing on May 21st are Slapwater, a Hampton Roads band that plays a mix of rock'n'roll and Motown, are were named twice named Best Local Band in Hampton Roads Magazine. The Janitors, local legends who've been playing great rock'n'roll muic since 1983, and have opened for The Guess Who, Chubby Checker, John Caferty and many others, will perform on June 4th. On June 18th is Richmond's premier British Invasion band, The English Channel, playing a combination of their favorite British Invasion songs and originals.

Cinco de Mayo

Contributed by CW Burke

The fifth day in the month of May, also known as Cinco de Mayo to some, is not Mexico's Independence Day. Mexico's Independence Day is on the sixteenth day in the month of September, also known as dieciséis de septiembre. Cinco de Mayo is, however, the day in 1862 when the Mexican militia surprisingly defeated the French Army in the Battle of Puebla. It is now a holiday celebrated primarily in and around the city of Puebla, but also in other parts of Mexico and into certain areas here, in the United States.

Williamsburg British and European Car Show

Contributed by CW Burke