Mardi Gras or not?

Ok, I'm probably going to frustrate some of my family and hometown friends but here goes. Monroe, Louisiana is in the Bible belt. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church. Most of the family on both sides were Baptist. The people I knew were mostly Baptist or Methodist. I only knew a handful of Catholics(you could spot them on Ash Wednesday). Ash Wednesday is really all I was exposed to. No one, family or friends ever talked about Mardi Gras. We didn't do King cakes, parades or any celebrating of it in our town.

I never knew what a king cake was til I became friends here in Texas who were from New Orleans. Went to Mardi Gras twice with her to New Orleans. I remember when I was planning to go, someone reminded me of it being a pagan celebration. I still thought it would be fun to experience it once (or twice). Especially, going with someone from New Orleans who knew where to go and where NOT to go. I was privileged to ride in the Sunday afternoon parade before Ash Wednesday, all the way downtown, in my friend's brother's antique army jeep. OH the thrill of it all and it WAS amazing! So much fun, throwing the crowd beads and when I ran out of beads, the crowd would replenish my stash for me to continue. Thank you Betty and Victor for a most memorable time.

I remember my oldest sister, Jean working at Regions Bank and being involved in Mardi Gras parades in Monroe in the late '90s or early 2000's. I said "what??? When did that start??" She clearly said..."It's a money maker, that's all it is." And it is that....boosting NOLA's economy in the billions.

So, I want to ask my family and friends this: Did I live in a bubble, growing up? Am I the only one in North Louisiana who was never exposed to this event? I ask this because now, being reconnected with old friends from my hometown and family who I never get to see....I hear talk about the parades and king cake and the rest, like it's always been celebrated there. To my knowledge,their were no celebrations where I came from.

Much of South Lousisana is Catholic compared to the northern half, which may explain why it was such a big thing in South Louisiana. Again, please don't take this negatively, I'm just curious and labeling as I see it.