Mark and Laureen dressed up for the festivities daily.
Residents were decked out! You didn’t go by a home that at least didn’t have beads hanging from there fence.
The crowds on Bourbon, Royal and Frenchman Street were huge. They serve drinks “to go” so the restaurants and bars weren’t too busy. The streets on the other hand were crazy. Laureen really enjoyed the atmosphere, dancing and drinking in the streets. Mark, Vince and Kim were happy to experience it but once was enough for them. Mark was a great sport and danced and sang along with Laureen for part of it.
The parades were well done. The city pays for the policing and clean up and the Krewes (clubs) pay for the floats, throw aways and costumes.
First time I saw a setup like this for viewing the parade. Ladders with wooden boxes on top that children sit in to see the parade and stay where the parents can keep an eye on them.
The streets were packed. We heard that an estimated 1.4 MILLION people watched the mile’s long parade routes, lasting up to 4 hours.
In the Zulu parade the coveted throw aways were the hand decorated coconuts. The coconuts have the husks removed, drained and hollowed out, then they are hand painted. They cannot be thrown due to the weight of them. Laureen got 4 Coconuts and she shared with the others.
Other sought-after throw aways were the toys, plastic cups, Krewe medallions and fancy beads.
The normal beads were boring to many. The last float is a decorated tractor pulling an open trailer where the crowd would throw the unwanted beads, etc from the street in. These items then go to non-profit organizations to sort and clean-up to resell back to the Krewes for the next year’s parade.
Another fun fact is after Mardi Gras clean up, the city weighs the garbage and if there is more garbage than last year it was a good Mardi Gras.
BOURBON STREET SATURDAY NIGHT
FUN FUN FUN!!!
Green drink (yes that’s the name). Not sure what’s in it but it packs a punch and tastes yummy.
The trash cans were overflowing, and garbage was on the streets. You had to watch where you walked. Good thing no glass, only cans and plastic cups. The beads do make it slippery though.
A fun fact: Food stations are set up around the parade routes handing out FREE food. Organizations like churches, the Krewes, and businesses put these on. You can find the list of food stations in the parade pamphlet and probably online as well. They mostly serve simple food like jambalaya, rice and beans, and pulled pork sandwiches. Mark stopped and asked them why they were doing this and the guy said, “because Jesus loves us “.
Everyone should experience Mardi Gras once in their lifetime.
I see you had a lot of beads!!! looks like a lot of fun really crowded and very colorful.
Yes crowded. If this was the beginning of our trip, we wouldn't of been comfortable doing it. As we have traveled we have gotten better with people