616. Part 2 of Ed Branley's return to the podcast. This time the NOLA history guy talks to the most NOLA topic of them all — Mardi Gras! Ed traces Carnival season and Mardi Gras from its humble beginnings to now Ed is a writer, teacher, historian, and computer nerd who lives in New Orleans. He graduated from the real Brother Martin High School. Edward dated several girls who attended the real St. Mary's Dominican High School, eventually marrying one of them. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 220 years. Order your copy today! This week in Louisiana history. March 8, 1876. After three years of debate and controversy, members of the U.S. Senate refused to allow P. B. S. Pinchback of Louisiana to take his seat. This week in New Orleans history. Twenty-seven year-old Calvin Long, a baker from Poydras, Louisiana, earned a place in Saints history when he purchased the first franchise season ticket on Wednesday, March 8, 1967. Al Whiteman, a Kenner flashbulb salesman, bought the second. Tulane students Ron Nestor and Charles Mendez camped outside of the Mecom Building, 944 St. Charles Ave., on Lee Circle next to the YMCA at 9 p.m. the night before.  But they waited at the wrong entrance and lost their bid for the first set of tickets.  Many others had arrived on Tuesday evening to mark their spots in line. This week in Louisiana. Amite Oyster Festival March 14-16, 2025 112 E Mulberry Street Amite, LA 70422 amiteoyster@gmail.com Website We are excited to announce the dates for next year's Amite Oyster Festival will be March 14, 15 and 16, 2025! Mark your calendars now and plan on joining us for three great days of food, music, rides and much more. We look forward to seeing you on the festival grounds! The Amite Oyster Festival is a family fun fest that attracts visitors from all over the country. The festival offers a full weekend of food, music and of course, oysters! Come on over for a shuckin’ good time! Postcards from Louisiana. Louisiana Book Festival Band sings, "Go to the Mardi Gras." Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.