NEW YORK—Last week, millions of people around the world headed out to celebrate Mardi Gras. Whether you go all out in New Orleans, or adopt the more chilled out British tradition of Pancake Day, Mardi Gras is a universally fun, decadent holiday that encourages us to live life to its fullest before some choose to make important sacrifices for Lent.  Across the country, independent practices, labs and brands celebrated Mardi Gras in their own ways—with days off, in-office parties and fun Instagram posts. Here’s a look at just a few ways independents celebrated Fat Tuesday this year.


The team at Interstate Lab Group, a full-service lab in Ontario, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana that specializes in providing resources for independent ECPs, celebrated Mardi Gras in the office with traditional paczki.
Image via Interstate Lab Group on Instagram.
 
 
Elk Grove Optometry in Elk Grove, California, shared a fun graphic on Instagram to wish their patients a fun, happy Mardi Gras. Image via Elk Grove Optometry on Instagram. 
 


The team at Dr. Tavel in Indianapolis chose a pair of Versace frames that they think are perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations. Image via Dr. Tavel on Instagram. 
 


Krewe, an independent brand based in New Orleans, took off for Mardi Gras—but they made sure to share some of the city’s decorations with their followers before signing off for the day. Image via Krewe on Instagram. 
 


The team at Acadian Vision Associates, in Lafayette, Louisiana, also had the day off to celebrate. They shared a fun graphic to let their patients know, and to wish them a good holiday. Image via Acadian Vision on Instagram. 
 


Dave Buchansky, who runs the Instagram page Independent Luxury Eyewear, shared a beautiful Italian Carnevale themed flat lay from Italian optometrists, Optivist. Image via Independent Luxury Eyewear on Instagram. 
 


Many people in the U.K. celebrate Pancake Day on Mardi Gras. Geoff Steven and Sons, an independent practice with locations in Hexham, Haltwhistle and Ponteland, England, shared ways to make your Pancake Day good for your eyes. Image via Geoff Steven and Sons on Instagram.