Mardi Gras Day means many things to many people, but in the French Quarter, it means costumes, costumes and more costumes. Uptown and on Canal, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French) means parades all day starting at 7:30 am with Zulu. On Bourbon Street, the day means beads thrown from balconies, rebel yells and partying ’til you puke. But for the many who choose to meander the streets of the Quarter and the Marigny, it’s a spectacle of creativity set to a soundtrack of wandering bands and rolling boomboxes. For more on the culture of Mardi Gras Day, see last year’s post.
This year, we had the added thrill of seeing skywriting from the Krewe of Rex and we crossed paths a couple times with DancingMan504, still dancing in the streets after all those parades. Also crossed paths with NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas and Treme Brass Band‘s Uncle Lionel.
Twice, we stopped by French Market Restaurant for their sidewalk cauldron full of delicious $5 a bowl jambalaya. As costumed paraders passed, we remembered again that, “Everywhere else, it’s just Tuesday.”
The video and photos are from Frenchman, Decatur and Royal Streets, Jackson Square and a block of Bourbon Street.
L.A. to N.O.LA 
Love the Costumes, Costumes, and more Costumes :O)
What a wonderful day. Thank goodness it comes every year. I’m so glad you enjoyed all the photos.
OMG OMG OMG!!! Thank you so much for sharing this intimate view of the fabulous & fun costumery. You & A are just adorable in your coordinating attire! My favorite shots are the window, street-side at the hotel, & the doorway. My favorite costumes…? No way to answer that. Too too many to love!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you’ll get to join the mayhem one day.