Today is Lundi Gras in New Orleans...the day before Mardi Gras. For years when I was growing up, it was a day with no parades, a chance to rest up before the big celebration taking place tomorrow all around the city and the suburbs. Now, it's a different story, with one of the biggest parades rolling tonight as the Krewe of Orpheus (founded by Harry Connick Jr.) parades through downtown and uptown.
Throughout the city there will be parties, live music and tons of folks packing their ice chests to spend the entire day outside tomorrow...or, if you're like me, it takes sustenance to ride on a float!
Yesterday (known locally as Bacchus Sunday) was one of the biggest days leading up to Fat Tuesday, with 4 parades back-to-back through Uptown New Orleans. While it was a long day, we were lucky enough to have friends living right on the parade route who opened their home to everyone and allowed us to hang out all day and into the night as the parades passed.
For those of you who aren't here to see and celebrate for yourselves, here is a little taste of New Orleans...
Even the trees get to catch beads!
The Queen of the Krewe of Mid-City...the only krewe that decorates their floats in foil.
The parades lasted into the night, when we greeted Val Kilmer as Bacchus 2009
I love the night parades, with the lighted floats and the traditional flambeaux carriers...
Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy Mardi Gras - especially my new friend Jason who really got into the spirit of things at his first parades...
What's Jason gonna do with all those beads?
:)
Lisa - Great pictures of mardi gras 2009 - In some parts of Germany it is celebrated as Fasching and each town that has a Club has their own king and queen. Happy Mardi Gras!
Lisa ~ It is great to see you City getting ready for Mardi Gras 2009! Someday.....I hope to visit during the celebration! Have fun!
I have never been, must I must go at least once in my life.
Jim and I were just talking about wanting to visit during Mardi Gras. I've been to New Orleans twice, but never for the big party. Maybe when the little one gets a bit older...
Matt, I have no idea :)
Petra, what a very cool bit of trivia. Each krewe (club) here has it's own king and queen too!
Terrie, JL and Maria - everyone should have going to Mardi Gras on their bucket list...it's an amazing experience.
Lisa how long do you think it takes for the trees to learn how to catch beads? Happy Mardi Gras to you and your family. We stay home and bar-b-cue. With the teenager away at school I don't have any pressure to go these days.
Mardi Gras is such a great opportunity to write posts for your community. localism and your blog! Great looking pictures make it even better. I will be checking in to see more and have a great week!
Jason looks like he's having a blast. What a ton o' fun! So, after seeing your updates on F/B I said to my fiance "We should go to New Orleans sometime...." his response...."For What?". Perhaps I should rethink these nuptials.....
Hi Lisa, Great pics! Thank you for posting them. The lighted floats at night must be spectacular !!! I will add Mardi Gras to my bucket list!! Happy Mardi Gras, Lisa!
I hate you Lisa, lol! I wish I was out there partying it up in New Orleans. I've been wanting to go forever!
New Orleans has its Mardi Gras and Tampa has Gasparilla Day, when the pirate invade Tampa, and partiers on the floats in the parade strew strings of beads.
Lisa, wooohooo, looks like y'all are "letting the good times roll!!!" in New Orleans.
Our Mardi Gras Party was Saturday night --- wheeewwwwwww, we're still tired from cooking Red Beans & Rice, Jambalaya and 7 pans of Bread Pudding for approximately 100 people -- another couple made the Shrimp Etouffee and I cheated and bought the King Cakes at the Grocery Store -- thank goodness HEB makes a fairly decent King Cake. :) Party was a huge success with everyone planning to attend another one next year!!! My camera "died" (great timing) so I didn't get any pictures, will have to ask people who took pictures to share with me.
HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYONE!!!
We are up and at them this morning, getting ready to climb on the floats and have a wonderful day. The weather is supposed to be absolutely beautiful...wish you all were here!
Wish I had been there too. Looking forward to reading all about it -- with pictures included, I hope. :)
Lisa,
I have never been to a Mardi Gras, but my younger sister was and I know it made an impression on her. I think it would be lots of fun...I should put it on my list.
Rebecca, it's definitely a bucket list item! There is no other city in the U.S. that I could ever really call "home".
Lisa - Great Pics! It's hard to imagine that there is a more interesting place to be at this time of year than New Orleans.
Erik, whew! It's over for another year and not a moment too soon. I'm paraded and king caked out :)