Have Fun And Avoid Debauchery In The Parades Before Mardi Gras

By Author: Cedric Fairchild
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New Orleans is home to food, culture and of course the famous party of Mardi Gras - a party that flaunts its resilience in the face of an economic down-turn and natural disasters.

A few people are particularly suspicious about this feral and drunken spring party, connecting it to depravation, misconduct and issues surrounding the French quarter. But, this electric festivity boasts as much exhibitions of enjoyment, as it does debauchery.

Also, you'll find a few marches taking place two weekends ahead of the actual Mardi Gras celebration. These tend to be celebrated by the residents, which are notably less ferocious, and almost organize the environment for Mardi Gras. It's pretty much the same type of atmosphere; flocks of locals contouring sidewalks, although in a much more manageable and relaxed ambiance. The best thing concerning these parades is that they take place in the low season, so you can enjoy New Orleans cheaply.

These early processions even follow Mardi Gras' parade routes, with likewise roaring tractors pulling colorful floats adorned with sparkling people in fancy dress throwing charms, ...
... pearls and stuffed animals to the admiring masses. Thus, you can enjoy local schools' marching bands beating their drums and blowing their horns for Mardi Gras. It's a really fun treat for the youngsters in the group perched upon the head and shoulders of parents, ready to seize any goodies, which may be tossed into the crowd at any moment. You'll be surprised how little time it takes before the sidewalks are packed with spectators bearing fancy dress and enjoyment written all over their faces.

Street food and cooking are another feature of the displays and festivities of Mardi Gras. Most of the public places one can imagine are turned into outdoor kitchens and alfresco seating areas, featuring groups of people enjoying the marches and interacting with one another. Drinks and cocktails, grilled food, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, cold salads, fried chicken and deserts happen to be typical dinning features.

Generally, shows continue into dusk, when you'll find many of the aluminous displays taking place. One of the most anticipated spectacles is the rumbling and booming of snare drums combined with large flaming torches lighting the parade floats.

As the fun and commotion draw to an end, all and sundry slows down in the Big Easy. Everyone launches back to their dwellings, loaded with all the trinkets that they've collected through Mardi Gras. For most, this epitomizes New Orleans - and it means that it is the period to prepare for next year's fun and festivities.

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