New Orleans ready for final Mardi Gras fling
2009-02-23

Category Parade Mardi Gras Nations U.S. City New Orleans States Louisiana Category Regions County Orleans Parish Metropolitan Greater New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS - Mark and Vickie Myers, wearing pirate costumes and draped with beads, were heading out for another New Orleans custom -- breakfast at Brennan's.

It's a tribute to the city and the season that they had no worries about getting into the sedate French Quarter restaurant on the Monday before Mardi Gras.

"They'd probably be surprised if people didn't show up in costume," Mark Myers said. "It's time to live out your fantasies. It's what Mardi Gras is all about."

On the day before Carnival 2009's final fling, crowds began cruising the French Quarter early. Some were just starting the day, some had been at it since Sunday night.

"I've got to learn to pace myself," said Geoffrey Nichols, 30, from Los Angeles, as he leaned against a wall on Bourbon Street Monday morning, holding a beer in shaking hands. "I've been at it since Friday and last night hasn't ended yet. But I do plan on getting some sleep soon."

Eight parades rolled through New Orleans streets on Saturday and Sunday. Two were scheduled for Monday night, including Orpheus, with founder Harry Connick Jr. and guests Jim Belushi and about a dozen other celebrities.

On Tuesday the parades were to kick off at 8 a.m. with the Zulu krewe, followed by Rex and hundreds of truck floats.

"I've only seen one parade so far," said Neil Moss, 30, who was drinking a pina colada at 9 a.m. with five friends in from New York. "I've seen a lot of bars though.'"

Big crowds over the weekend and nearly full hotels bode well for a busy Mardi Gras, tourism officials said.

Mary Beth Romig, a convention and visitors bureau spokeswoman, said officials were cautiously optimistic, given the slumping national economy.

While there have been no official estimates on visitors yet, huge crowds have gathered downtown and along parade routes.

The terminal at Louisiana's largest commercial airport, in suburban New Orleans, also has been busy. But spokeswoman Michelle Wilcut attributed some of that -- particularly Friday -- to locals leaving town ahead of Fat Tuesday.

There was one shooting in New Orleans after Friday night's last parade. It apparently stemmed from an argument. Lawrence Everage, 27, of New Orleans was booked with attempted second-degree murder.

"It's been a pretty peaceful Carnival so far," said police spokesman Bob Young. "For the most part the crowds have been big along the parade routes, but orderly."