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A member of the Krewe du Vieux parades through the streets of the French Quarter on Feb. 4 in New Orleans. The parade is one of the earliest of the Mardi Gras season and is known for its satirical themes.
The beads are ready to be tossed, the costumed crowds are in the mood to party and tourism officials are smiling.
It can only mean one thing: It’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans.
“It is the event of the year. It’s our largest, in terms of economic benefit. It is probably the most iconic celebration for the city,” said Jennifer Day-Sully, a spokeswoman for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.
About a million people are expected to take part in the festivities over the 12 days leading up to Fat Tuesday, which falls on Feb. 21 this year, Day-Sully said. The city doesn’t break that number down into out-of-town visitors and local attendees.
A similar attendance figure was reported last year, but Mark Romig, the CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, is hoping 2012 will end up the biggest Mardi Gras in 25 years.
“We’re working 24/7 to make sure that happens,” he said. “I think the numbers are moving in that direction.”
There’s a lot at stake for the city. A Tulane University study showed the economic impact of Mardi Gras on New Orleans amounted to $300 million in 2011, Romig said. For every $1 the city spent on services to support Mardi Gras — such as sanitation and security — it received $8.50 back in tax revenue. So officials are happy to see the party recover to pre-Hurricane Katrina levels.
New touches for 2012 include the debut of an all-female krewe — or a club that puts on a parade. Meet the Mystic Krewe of Nyx, which paraded through New Orleans on Feb. 15. (Nyx, in case you’re wondering, is the Greek goddess of night.) The parades have historically been dominated by men so it’s always fun to see an all-ladies club, Day-Sully said.
Visitors will also see new floats unveiled this year, including the highly anticipated Butterfly King float from the Rex Organization, Romig said.
“It’s going to be gorgeous,” he predicted.
A big trend this year is the growth and popularity of grassroots marching clubs, Day-Sully said. So while visitors may be most familiar with the big parades involving elaborate floats surrounded by huge crowds, the celebrations organized by marching clubs are far more informal, accessible affairs.
“Basically, they involve dressing up in a costume and meeting up in some pre-determined area. Usually there’s a brass band coming along and dancing through the street,” Day-Sully said.
“I really encourage people who are coming for Mardi Gras to really do their research and try to seek out one of these … to not just be a spectator but to participate.”
She suggested checking out Mondo Kayo, a Caribbean-themed marching club that hits the streets on Mardi Gras morning, or the Saint Anne parade that starts in the Bywater neighborhood.
Mardi Gras is bigger than Halloween in New Orleans as far as costumes go, Day-Sully said, so you’ll want to dress up, or at least wear a wig or some sparkly clothing.
Costumes often reflect what’s happening in popular culture. Day-Sully has a friend who is planning to dress up this year as one of the young beauty queens from the controversial TLC reality show “Toddlers & Tiaras.” There might also be a few people channeling Whitney Houston, she predicted. It’s all part of the creative spirit of the city.
“The more you put into Mardi Gras, the more you get out. So if you dress up or you make funny signs, you’ll be tossed better presents and it really contributes to the overall feeling,” Day-Sully said.
Lucas Jackson / © LUCAS JACKSON/Reuters/Corbis
New Orleans has reclaimed its vibrancy after Hurricane Katrina and will delight and woo you with its mojo.
More on Itineraries
- Mardi Gras beyond beer, beads and Bourbon Street
- What don't you know about New Orleans
- Katrina-battered hotel finally ready to reopen
Leave a Comment:
Mojo didn't count for much when Katrina came to call!
Natural disasters can happen most anywhere at anytime. Why would you hate on New Orleans? It's a great city with more culture and entertainment than most any other of it's size.
I don't think Realitycheck was invited to the party.
Wildcat: The hate is between your ears, I said nothing nothing bad about New Orleans.
As for the invitation no worries, it's not my kind of party....
That pic in the slide show of all the guys' faces when the chick flashes them is awesome! I wonder if that is what a stripper sees the whole time she is on stage?
I love Mardi Gras and New Orleans, wish I was there for the shrimp, pralines and King Cakes.
Glad to see New Orleans coming back, it's too bad that more hasn't been done for all the people there, too many people have been forgotten over the years since the hurricane.
"...it's too bad that more hasn't been done for all the people there..."
You have got to be kidding! N.O. has been given everything!
N.O. is a toilet. The Quarter rips you off, and if you stray away from the Quarter you may well be robbed and killed.
BTW---I went to the 1962 Mardi Gras, it was fun! Returned several times but gave up on The Big Bowel Movement about 25 years ago.
Is the French Quarter a rip off you bet it is. I knew of many places in New Orleans that were far better and cheaper than the French Quarter. The problem is, just as every tourist area is, that the area is set up to rip off visitors. There are places in the French Quarter that are good deals but you need to know where to look.
In terms of crime, as someone how was robbed at gun point, if you stay in the main tourist areas of the French Quarter you are pretty safe from violent crime. This changes quickly after you leave these areas. One of the projects can be found just outside of the Quarter. I chose to walk through, after living there for 4 years, and met 3 gentlemen who wanted my wallet more than I did. I do not recommend anyone do what I did.
Thank you for remembering.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a good place to be. I sure hope that the weather holds up. Either way we will pass a good time.
So pretty. In Jamaica we have a similar celebration before lent. We call it Bacchanal. It consists of the music and vibrant colours and Carnival costumes. But it mostly is about partying hard and drinking even harder. Haha.
Gluttony in all things?
Heh! Heh!
Your display-name says you're superstitious...!
You should go to New Awlins, and practice some of the "seven deadly sins". It would ease your paganistic & boring lifestyle.
Jesusiswatching:
Not sure about the gluttony but how about:
ordered in all things
temperate in all things
obedient in all things
sufficiency in all things
obey in all things
faithful in all things
understanding in all things
well in all things............and who can forget:
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
P.S. Don't mind the scoffers, tis the season!
I use to go down to N.O. from New Jersey. Had lotsa fun in the late 80s & early 90s. And...I had my lil' devil on my shoulder, and lust in my heart & loins!
Heh! Heh! Heh! It was great music, fun, food 'n foxes...!
Have fun, Be Safe, Enjoy Life, for this is what were meant for. Be Happy! But Above All Be SAFE. New Orleans Rocks and a lot of hard workers come from there. All they have is one problem. Some republican sale outs dragging them down, like alabama and ga. too. Used to be good times in the south. Now? Vote Democrate or Death. WAKE UP AMERICA.
Terryknight I hate to tell you this but New Orleans is very much a Democratic town. Look it up sometime. In any case this is a story about huge party not a political discussion.
Forgot your meds today Terry?
got um bro, LIFE
I went to college in New Orleans and Mardi Gras is something different take to take in. After 4 years I was tired of the whole celebration and was very happy to leave the hupla. After these many years I would love to go back and enjoy Mardi Gras again. This time however I think I will avoid the French Quarter.
As they say time and time again eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you will have to be good.
just don't sit, stay UP, hahahaahahaahaha
Maybe someday NBC could find time to visit Mardi Gras's birth place..! Mobile Al. hey y'all, we had Katrina here as well. P.S. we don't need a French Quarter here..!
Is it really Mobile???? I didn't know that. I knew it wasn't New Orleans but I thought that it was some other Cajun area in Lousiana or Mississippi.
elmo-1940954==We will not forget about Mobile. It's time to get your fun in before Lent. Party now because it ends after Fat Tuesday. Then comes Ash Wednesday. I wonder how many people realize the ties to religion for this time of year!
of all tings
Luv cajun cooking god bless La. Bring back democracy. WAKEUPAMERICA.
This Mississippi Girl loves New Orleans and the Mardi Gras Season. There is more to "The Big Easy" than the tourist areas. The shops on the streets next to Bourbon St are second to none not to mention other parts of the city. So take the time to see more than Bourbon Street THEN form your opinion. I was there last weekend and loved every minute. Long live New Orleans and GEUX SAINTS!
I always have and I always will LOVE New Orleans !!!! Espically The French Quarter !!!!
Thank you. We are still working to get the city back to where it was. We will get there.
" Laissez les bons temps rouler "
Love New Orleans...lived there for a short time working and having sooo much fun on my days off. I haven't been to Mardi Gras in yearssssss, and everything time it comes around I miss it, and wish I could get over there to enjoy it one more time..I have a 19 year old son who has never seen N.O. and really want to get him there.. seems I either don't have the time or don't have the money each year as it comes around. Hope the weather is good for ya'll this year , it is cold and rainy here in Texas....
The largest collection of queers in the world??
I go to New Orleans as often as I can. Not during Mardi Gras, because I'm not young, and it's too much! But at every other time, it is great. Stay in the French Quarter, and you can walk everywhere; there is nowhere to park, anyway. Go to the cathedral when someone is getting married, and stand on the sidewalk and cheer for the newlyweds- they will throw you some beads. Parades happen ALL the time there, some are practice runs, but they are just as exciting. People will throw candy at you, you will hear great music, and the fun atmosphere will make your day. The food and drink in New Orleans is wonderful, especially the seafood and Hurricanes! Is there crime? Sure, but I grew up in Chicago, and I use common sense. Never had a problem in New Orleans. The music is amazing, most bars have live music, many have no cover. The people are mellow and welcoming. I'm getting hungry for a po'boy, or coffee and beinets. Better go make plans for my next trip!
Mhmmm. It's all about boobs.
Greatest party in the world. Drink up the atmosphere. Revelry and joy are contagious. French Quarter for debauchery or St.Charles Ave. or Metairie for family. Laissez les bon temps rouler- Let the good times roll.