Mardi Gras Parades For 2016

The party is ON folks! Just because Mardi Gras Day falls on February 9, 2016 this year doesn't mean you have to wait until next month to start enjoying the festivities.

Krewes have been rolling their colorful floats and throwing trinkets not only around the French Quarter, but they'll also be appearing Uptown, near the Garden District as well as Marigny and Mid City. Some will also parade outside of the city in areas like Metairie. 

For a full schedule of all of the parades including maps and krewes' estimated start time, click here.

Feel free to post comments below, thanks for stopping by!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Celebrate The King Cake Festival On January 31

Well, you've probably figured out by now that residents of New Orleans will come up with almost any reason at all to start a celebration.

If you missed it last year, you'll have another chance to participate in the second annual King Cake Festival this month, January 31. Revel in many the versions of this traditional Mardi Gras baked treat. 

This is a family friendly event so you can bring the children, they even have a kid's zone. If you get a wristband for $10 it includes beverages, prizes and more. It's actually a benefit for babies and children at Oschner Hospital.

The festival is free and runs from 11AM to 5PM and will be held on LaSalle Street in Champion Square. You can also get unlimited snacks and open bar for $60 as a VIP Club Member. OF COURSE there will be live music, after all this is New Orleans!

If you don't know anything about the King Cake click here to check out my previous post.

Thanks for visiting!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

5 Ways You Can Be A Mardi Gras Star And Ride A Parade Float

It's a lot of fun to yell "Throw me something mister!" in the streets of New Orleans during
Mardi Gras to get the krewe members to hurl some beads at you. But have you ever thought about actually being a part of the action and riding on a parade float while throwing trinkets to the adoring crowds in your costume? 

Well there's a few ways you can do just that. One easy way to participate is to go through New Orleans Craigslist postings and look for krewe members advertising space available on their float. 

I've seen an ad that says they provide a costume, food and drinks included in the fee. Did a search for Mardi Gras in Community to find listings. 

Click here to view this link that covers 4 more ways to be part of the Mardi Gras parade experience.
Photo credit: Carol M. Highsmith

Let me know what you think of this post. You can post comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Like My Facebook Fan Page The Mardi Gras Girl

Created a Facebook Fan Page called The Mardi Gras Girl...what else? Will not only have additional Mardi Gras pictures and updates but also posting more music videos.

So if you'd like to see and hear the artists who are playing the blues, jazz and zydeco music that make up the Carnival and New Orleans sound like Kermit Ruffins, Treme Brass Band, Glen David Andrews and more, make sure to visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheMardiGrasGirl

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Day 2016 Is On February 9

Well people, Mardi Gras 2016 will be here before you know it. Next year it falls on Tuesday, February 9.

Make sure you don't wait until the last minute to visit New Orleans for the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the LAST day of the Carnival Season. The next day is Ash Wednesday and folks will either be in church repenting for what they've done, hungover or asleep!

The best time to arrive is about 2 weeks prior to the big day. That's when a lot of the parades will be running throughout the city. You'll be able to see them in the French Quarter, Uptown New Orleans as well as near the Garden District on St. Charles Avenue. 

Stay tuned for more updates. Feel free to post comments below and thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl