Hey, Happy Mardi Gras 2016! Check out the live stream for the Mardi Gras parades and floats for the big day. This is it, starting with the Krewe of Zulu, who's celebrating 100 years of incorporation with new floats, through the Krewe of Crescent City in New Orleans.
New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations
Check it out, have fun!
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Your First Mardi Gras Celebration? Then Make Sure You Read This
Taking precautions always makes sense whenever you plan to attend a parade or other public street fair and Mardi Gras is no exception.
People from all over the world converge on the city of New Orleans throughout the Carnival season, but the last few days counting down to Fat Tuesday are particularly crowded.
If this is your first time taking part in the Big Easy's massive party or even if you're a Mardi Gras veteran, here are a few things to keep in mind. These 5 tips will help you enjoy the festivities even more:
1. Get an early start
Plan to arrive at parade routes near the beginning of where the krewes will be starting out. When I say early, I mean at least 3 hours. Crowds will swell up quickly and you want to make sure you'll be able to see the floats and be close enough to catch the throws.
2. Dress the part
When I say pay attention to what you're wearing I don't mean just your costume. Check the weather prior to leaving since it can vary this time of year. Plan on layering your clothing; it can be warm, cold, rainy or sunny.
3. Have a game plan for meals
While you're on the parade route it'll be difficult to get food since restaurants will be incredibly crowded. You may be able to find vendors that have snacks, but don't count on it. Pack your own lunch and try to keep your bag as light as possible, it will be a very long day. Besides you'll need room for the beads and throws you're going to catch!
4. Forget about driving
Don't be concerned about trying to drive anywhere during the Mardi gras weekend. The entire
French Quarter is closed off for vehicle traffic unless you're driving a float or your car is in the parade with a krewe. Cabs will be difficult to find as well so plan a walking path from your hotel to the parade route.
5. French Quarter is NOT for kids during Mardi Gras
Stay on the parade route areas in Mid-City, Uptown, Central Business District and other areas of the city if you're coming to enjoy Mardi Gras with children. The out of control, risque behavior that gets all the media attention happens in the French Quarter, particularly on Bourbon Street. There are no parades in that area and that's the main reason you came! Most of the Mardi Gras celebrations are family friendly, so no worries if you keep to where the floats travel.
Hope this helps, if you have any questions or want to add tips from your own Mardi Gras experiences feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading.
*** Want more travel tips? Click here for my post on catching beads and click here for the one on solo travel during Mardi Gras. And most of all, have fun! Yeaaah!
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Friday, January 29, 2016
2016 Is The 20th Anniversary Of The Krewe Of Oshun
The Mardi Gras parades are rolling! Today, Friday, January 29 the Krewe Of Oshun will parade in the Uptown section of New Orleans starting at 6:00PM. This year also marks the krewe's 20th annivarsary!
This year's theme is called It's a Sea of Beauty. It's all about everything beneath the sea. Floats will reflect the ocean including sea horses, oysters and more. Throws will include peacock themed krewe bracelets and fans as well as beads. Also the New Orleans Marching Baby Dolls will be featured in the parade.
This krewe is run by African American women; it's named after the Yoruba goddess of beauty and love with their symbol being the peacock. Oshun also represents fountains and wealth to people throughout the African diaspora particularly Brazil, Cuba and Haiti.
The organization was founded in 1996, providing community service and entertainment throughout the year.
Click here to check out their schedule.
Photo credit: Sabree Hill - UptownMessenger.com
Thanks for reading, feel free to comment below.
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Monday, January 25, 2016
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
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
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
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