Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Whatever your preconceptions of Mardi Gras, there is a fair chance they are wrong-or at least not complete. Let's start with the basics. Mardi Gras is the final day of Carnival - a Roman Catholic celebration that ushers in Lent, the 40-day season of "purification" before Easter. Mardi Gras represents one last chance to indulge before beginning the Lenten season. Mardi Gras in the French quarter is notorious, but there is a whole other side to the celebration that you may not know about.

The focal point of Mardi Gras is the parade route. For the two weeks preceding Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday"-the day just before Ash Wednesday) there are spectacular parades with colorful floats filled with costumed characters throwing beads and other trinkets to the waiting crowd. After the parades, the city is transformed into an enormous street party. There are formal events of course, but every corner of the city seems to be transformed during Mardi Gras. These parades are suitable for the whole family as are a number of special events that coincide with the season. Parades run along St. Charles Avenue and the crowds the area between First Street and Napoleon Avenue are made up entirely of families. (Keep the little ones away from Canal Street at the end of the route). Bring your camera and a costume (or at least a mask) and let yourself get caught up in the spirit of Mardi Gras!