Chris Bickford

Today’s the day…in about 6 0r 7 hours the celebration that has made New Orleans famous throughout the world will begin, the grand finale of weeks of balls, parades, masking, and dancing in the streets. Tonight there are some pulling all-nighters to get their floats and costumes ready for the big day. Some are getting an early night’s rest so they will be fresh for an all-day marathon of merry-making. The whole city will be out celebrating–Rex and Zulu and the Jefferson City Buzzards uptown, the Mardi Gras Indians on Carrolton Street and the seventh and ninth wards…the art crowd in the Marigny, the gay crowd and the tourists in the quarter. Mardi Gras has something for everyone, and it’s not just a tourist event. Everybody here participates. The ones without costumes carrying funny-looking drinks and wearing baseball caps and a ridiculous number of beads around their necks, you can be sure they don’t live here. New Orleanians, of all cultural sub-groups, will celebrate this day by masking in some of the most creative and elaborate costumes you will ever see. This day is theirs, though all are welcome to join in the fun. Buy a mask, a hat, some beads, whatever. It’s all good on Mardi Gras day. Just beware of pickpockets and try to stay off the west end of Bourbon Street if you don’t want to become part of a human sandwich.

I have gotten behind on posting the many events I have attended over the last few weeks. Once this whole thing blows over I will do my best to post pictures as soon as possible, and offer more thoughts and observations on New Orlean’s very special brand of Carnival. Until then, Laissez les bons temps rouler!!