and finally… Happy Mardi Gras!
As New Orleans’ resident for the first time during Mardi Gras season, the difference between what the world thinks about Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the facts overwhelm me. I started to think of some comparisons and have yet to come up with anything that really compares.
New Year’s Eve was the first holiday to crossed my mind. Between the festive attire (Tux’s and gowns) at the balls all over town and the anticipation as we count down to Mardi Gras, just like counting down to midnight.
THANKSgiving was another holiday crossing my mind with the massive size of parades.
CHRISTmas was another holiday to cross my mind with the pure excitement in the air for days and weeks preceding the holiday. We all can grasp the concept of CHRISTmas season as a part of CHRISTmas day. In addition, the residents of New Orleans, get nicer for the weeks before Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday). Another reason is the home decor’ both inside and out of the true revelers. There are more homes decorated for Mardi Gras in Mew Orleans, than almost any city can boast during CHRISTmas.
And then there is Halloween due to all the costumes and masks.
I have come to realize, nothing can compare to Mardi Gras! You really must come to New Orleans and experience Mardi Gras, not as a tourist on Bourbon Street, but with the locals! I must concede, at least one night of Bourbon Street is an experience to witness. The difficult task of coming to New Orleans is deciding when and for how long.
Megan, Jack and I have soaked it all in since, Saturday, February 4th and we will culminate today, Tuesday, February 21st.
The 1st weekend of Mardi Gras, we enjoyed just 2 of the 6 parades, starting with the Scout parade on Saturday and The Little Rascals on Sunday, both daytime parades.
The following Friday – Sunday, was Family Gras weekend, with festivals and 22 more parades. Friday, February 10th started at noon and ended close to 11 PM. Saturday started right after breakfast and went on well past my bedtime again. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday another early AM until late PM.
Then this past week started kicking into full gear on Wednesday, February 15th with 2 more night parades. Thursday 3 more night parades, Friday 7 more parades. Then came “Endymion” Saturday with the largest parade of Mardi Gras in addition to two others. Sunday, 7 more parades. We enjoyed 5 plus hours with family on Sunday, sharing the day with Doug, Gwen, Grant and Janey.
On Monday, I was worked, while 80% of New Orleans took the day off and started setting up for 4 more parades and tailgating all day.
Today, the 1st parade starts at 8 AM and people started lining up those routes around 10 PM last night to tailgate and get ready 
I am not sure you will be able to find anything open today besides restaurants, bars and liquor stores on the parade routes. even the malls are closed!
A sight to see later tonight is Bourbon Street as the revelers conclude Mardi Gras at 11:59 PM. Watching the police on their horses, empty the French Quarter is amazing. Lent starts at midnight.
Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, only a small percentage of the workforce returns to work… probably a little late… and probably a little slow.
Happy Mardi Gras!
The French Quarter
