Mark Megahan
Mardi Gras is back in full swing in 2023. As CNN describes, the “Big Easy returns to playing hard.” Bourbon Street is one heck of an adventure all the rest of the year but things get wildly out of control when Fat Tuesday rolls around.
Mardi Gras back from COVID
The die hard revelers who make the annual pilgrimage to New Orleans, Louisiana for the Mardi Gras weren’t disappointed this year. After the virus locked everyone down, 2021 “was a very quiet, socially distanced event.”
Last year, “festivities were still a bit subdued.” Let the good times roll was the theme once again. Back were everything from jello shots to alligator on a stick.
Mardi Gras beads were flying like snowflakes and there were lots of bare boobs flashed to get them. There are lots of family friendly events associated with it to provide something for everyone.
Resident Sarah Barnett was psyched for this year’s celebration. “I grew up going to parades with my family. There’s just something special about Mardi Gras when you head back to the same spots each year to watch the parades.”
She was totally disappointed with the 2021 attempt. Not only were they dealing with a pandemic, “it was so bitterly cold that year.”
The city “did its best to rally with people decorating their houses like parade floats, but it just wasn’t the same.” This year, “anticipation has been building.”
Social club Krewes
The core of Mardi Gras are the social club krewes who organize balls, parades and other activities through the yearly Carnival season.
There are two many of them to list but the most well known are “Krewe of Zulu, Mardi Gras Indians and Krewe of Bacchus.” Fat Tuesday kicked off this year with the Krewe of Zulu parade.
The French Quarter is the place you want to be during Mardi Gras. If you’re one of those fortunate enough to squeeze your way in. Waiting lists for club table reservations run years in advance.
They close the quarter off to all vehicle traffic for the events. Locals advise be really careful where you park because towing fines reach “Biblical proportions.”
The revelry gets so far out of hand that they have a 24/7 “Sobering Center” for those “too drunk to safely move about.” Mayor Cantrell said they were totally ready for the crowds.
“We are well-equipped with the necessary tools and will once again demonstrate to everyone why New Orleans is the best in the world at executing major events and festivals with a rich culture that is absolutely unmatched.“
