It's Carnival Time! Mardi Gras 2009

Today is Lundi Gras in New Orleans...the day before Mardi Gras. For years when I was growing up, it was a day with no parades, a chance to rest up before the big celebration taking place tomorrow all around the city and the suburbs. Now, it's a different story, with one of the biggest parades rolling tonight as the Krewe of Orpheus (founded by Harry Connick Jr.) parades through downtown and uptown.

Throughout the city there will be parties, live music and tons of folks packing their ice chests to spend the entire day outside tomorrow...or, if you're like me, it takes sustenance to ride on a float!

Yesterday (known locally as Bacchus Sunday) was one of the biggest days leading up to Fat Tuesday, with 4 parades back-to-back through Uptown New Orleans. While it was a long day, we were lucky enough to have friends living right on the parade route who opened their home to everyone and allowed us to hang out all day and into the night as the parades passed.

For those of you who aren't here to see and celebrate for yourselves, here is a little taste of New Orleans...

Even the trees get to catch beads!

The Queen of the Krewe of Mid-City...the only krewe that decorates their floats in foil.

The parades lasted into the night, when we greeted Val Kilmer as Bacchus 2009

I love the night parades, with the lighted floats and the traditional flambeaux carriers...

Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy Mardi Gras - especially my new friend Jason who really got into the spirit of things at his first parades...

Happy Mardi Gras!!