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Mardi Gras continues in New Orleans today, as the famously festive city marks the last day of the Carnival season before the Lenten period begins.
This Fat Tuesday, the weather is warm and sunny and many natives and visitors to the city are celebrating the city’s festive traditions, some of which have been observed for hundreds of years.
Block parties and parades spread through the city’s historic French Quarter, all the way up Bourbon Street, all the way into the city’s more residential areas.
Revelers danced on the balconies and watched the Santa Ana Parade go by.
Virtually everyone was dressed in colorful outfits, many in specific costumes ranging from mushrooms and chefs to the Chinese spy balloon.
Revelers sporting colorful, extravagant costumes and what appear to be alcoholic beverages celebrate in the streets at the La Societe de Saint Anne Parade on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, Louisiana.
New Orleans revelers walk the streets of the French Quarter dressed as the Chinese Spy Balloon on Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras attendees watch the Santa Ana Parade on February 21, 2023
Revelers dressed in the traditional colors of purple, green and gold took to the streets for back-to-back parades on Tuesday morning.
The festivities begin at dawn, when the North Side Skill & Bone Gang, dressed in skeleton costumes, awaken the city’s Treme neighborhood to remind everyone of their own mortality.
After that, the theme of the day becomes ‘let the good times roll’ and celebrations can be found in almost every corner of the city.
At midnight, there is a ceremonial cleaning of Bourbon Street, as the festival period officially comes to an end. It officially began on January 6, the 12th day after Christmas, known as King’s Day.
To keep crowds under control and safety a priority, the New Orleans Police Department has been beefed up this year with 125 state troopers and another 170 law enforcement officers from across the state.
On Sunday night, during the Carnival celebrations, five people, including a girl, were shot at around 9:30 p.m.
One person was detained at the scene, although the attacker’s motives remain unclear.
Three men and two women were wounded in the shooting, police said. One of the victims was a young woman. The five victims were rushed to a local hospital where one is in critical condition and four are stable.
The Krewe of Bacchus parade, which is an annual Mardi Gras tradition, was temporarily halted as police cordoned off part of the area and searched for evidence.
The police said two The weapons were recovered from the scene after the suspect was taken into custody.
Fat Tuesday marks the last day of the Carnival season before Ash Wednesday, when the Lenten period begins.
King Steven LaChute throws doubloons as the Krewe of Argus rolls to the theme ‘Argus is Golden’ during its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Queen Allison Langhetee waves as the Krewe of Argus performs the theme ‘Argus is Golden’ during their 50th anniversary on Tuesday 21 February 2023
A float rider throws beads during the Krewe of Argus parade on Tuesday morning
The Mande Milkshakers perform as the Krewe of Argus rolls with the theme ‘Argus is Golden’ during their 50th anniversary on Tuesday 21 February 2023
Revelers throng Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday below the balcony of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Advertisements for nipple glitter and face paint can be seen in the crowd.
Said billboards up close on Bourbon Street
A boy sits on a man’s shoulders and searches for a trinket during the Krewe of Argus 50th anniversary parade Tuesday in New Orleans.
embers of Mondo Kayo march in the streets during the French Quarter
A member of the Krewe of Zulu marches through the streets as part of the popular parade on Tuesday morning.
7 A member of the crowd poses for a photo with a member of The Krewe of Zulu as they march through the streets as part of the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, February 21, 2023
The Krewe of Zulu march through the streets as part of Fat Tuesday
A woman dances in the street as part of Mondo Kayo during Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday celebrations in New Orleans
Fashion-forward exhibits are always on display during the week-long celebration that culminated on Tuesday.
Costumed people sit on a float in the 2023 Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade during a Mardi Gras parade. Zulu Krewe and social club are one of the more established krewes that continue to march every year.
Revelers capture beads from a float in the 2023 Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade during a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 21, 2023
A float rider tosses festive trinkets during the Krewe of Argus parade
Shot of revelers catching beads as they stand on the sidelines of a parade
Over the weekend leading up to Tuesday’s climactic celebration, embattled New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was caught on tape launching the bird into a passing crowd of revelers.
The brief clip shows the Democratic leader, 50, cheering from the stands in the center of Gallier Hall, appearing to cheer in support of the Krewe of Tucks parade before raising her middle finger to the crowd.
The mayoress seems to shout to the floats that pass by her: ‘I love you. God bless you. I’ll see you Happy carnival. Enjoy your trip. I am very glad that your trip has been good. I love you.’
It’s unclear exactly what prompted Cantrell’s boorish reaction and a statement from the mayor’s office released Sunday night reads: ‘Mardi Gras is a time when satire and jokes are on full display. The city has been enjoying a safe and healthy Carnival and looks forward to continuing the celebration at Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras’.
Cantrell has faced a wave of criticism in recent months, including for using $30,000 of taxpayer funds to buy first-class tickets to Europe.