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Super Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Posted: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 2:55 PM

By Tom Junod, NBC News Producer

Forget Super Tuesday. In New Orleans, it’s Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras. 

The holiday falls early this year due to the religious calendar; in fact, it’s the earliest it’s been since 1913. With such an early date, it seems to have taken a little time for the revelry to ramp up. But now, things are definitely in full swing.   

There's a certain point in each Carnival season when you can feel a vibe, an electric pulse throughout the city. This year, it seemed to take hold last Friday with the start of the weekend. There seems to have been a noticeable feeling of joy in the air since then. It all culminates today as hundreds of thousands of people take to the street across the area. 

Despite the overplayed images of debauchery and bawdiness, Mardi Gras really is above all else a family affair. That often shocks people who think of the celebration as an adult’s only party. 

The rowdiness of Bourbon Street is just one aspect of the day, and it is one place you won't normally find a lot of locals. They leave that to the tourists. 

A day to enjoy
The average New Orleanian celebrates with family and friends.  Early this morning, crowds of friendly people lined the parade route along historic St. Charles Avenue. Barbecue grills and gumbo pots were going full force. In suburban Metairie the crowds were huge. Kids played ball as they awaited the arrival of the Krewe of Argus parade. 

NBC's own Hoda Kotb and Al Roker are Grand Marshalls in the parade this year and have been feeling the love from the crowd. Kotb, who once worked at one of the local stations here in New Orleans, can't move a few feet without people wishing her well or taking a photo with her. 

Today is a day to put aside the mundane and the ordinary. Businesses and schools are closed.  All thoughts of worries and strife are forgotten. That is the real beauty of Mardi Gras. It’s one day to step back from reality and enjoy life.  At midnight, the street sweepers will come through, putting an end to the celebrations, and tomorrow things return to normal.

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Comments

I'm sorry, but On "Fat Tuesday" in Louisiana......absolutely nothing else in the world matters. If you don't believe me, next year go to New Orleans the weekend before Fat Tuesday in 2009 and stay until that Wednesday after Fat Tuesday. I already know that you will say that "I was right". Oh yea, you will go again.  HAPPY MARDI GRAS

Charlie (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 4:16 PM)

I have been there for Mardi Gras and loved it. I have such joyous memories. Wish I could return one day for the entire month prior to Fat Tuesday....

Yvonne, Graham, NC (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 4:26 PM)

A CHARMING VIEW OF MARDI GRAS THAT ONE ORDINARILY DOESN'T HEAR ABOUT.

SUSAN CHRISTENSEN LAS VEGAS, NV (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 4:47 PM)

Gumbo, crawdads and throw in a dose of murder too. Yeah, I want to go to the murder capital of the U.S. and walk in the streets with a bunch of half drunk freaks. I had a better chance of survival while serving on active duty in Afghanistan. At least there I had a weapon and body armor. 161 murders in 2006, 2009 in 2007, what a score. If they aren't careful down there, the government might have to send the Army back in to keep the peace since the city or state refuses to do the job.

M Amick, Kansas City MO (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 7:01 PM)

I'm a local and its nice to see an accurate portrayal of Mardi Gras where the focus isn't on the lewd actions of out of towners. I find it quite ironic that its the tourists who commit the acts they condemn once they leave our city. Let the drinks flow and the music play; New Orleans and Mardi Gras are here to stay!

Brandon, NOLA (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 7:49 PM)

As I stood in the middle of St. Charles Ave this morning, with the sun shinning and surrounded by happy people of all kinds, it occured to me that life doesn't get better than this.  Different maybe, but not better. Being kind, being with family and friends, being happy!!! It was a great day!!!

c.m. husing (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 8:08 PM)

i am sorry to have missed mardi gras this year, i have made it 14 years however and i know it was warm,humid, with friendly scantily clad people, music in the air, probably too much alcohol, and a general feeling of Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez. it's good to see new orleans getting back on her feet. like the phoenix from ashes. i'll make it next year, and i'll bring my friends and my gold card.  Mykle, Tennessee

Mykle Evans (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 10:17 PM)

Fat Tuesday sounds like Sin Tuesday.  Mardi Graus promotes sin on Tuesday and Ash Wednesday calls for saintliness. The transition is not quite so easy as turning a leaf on the calendar.
Christianity is a new life in Christ, abundant and free.  "All things pass away, and all things become new," said the Apostle Paul.

jerry lambeth (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 10:42 PM)

Good description of what Mardi Gras is really like.

joycelyn cole (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 11:08 PM)

Well put!  Unfortunately I am home sick & not out celebrating. :(

Irma, New Orleans, LA (Sent Wednesday, February 06, 2008 1:26 AM)

 Yes indeed, Mardi Gras is for everyone.  Local parades, that do not show up on TV but are the best of all, have kids in wagons or little floats.  The only time we go to Bourbon St. is to see the police and street cleaner's parade at midnight, (EVERYBODY has a parade here).
 The feeling of love and happiness had been building for days and it just grabbed you in its great arms during the day.  Everyone from baby to grannie was calling out Happy Mardi Gras, and there wasn't a grouchy face in the parade.
 He is right, ignore what you see on TV and come to visit us yourselves.  We are still rebuilding our city but we love company and we're friendly!
 But oh my sore feet from marching so far.. (two parades in one day!), and I couldn't be happier.
 

Holly Rockwell-Celerier (Sent Wednesday, February 06, 2008 4:48 AM)

Thanks for getting the story striaght.  When people think of New Orleans Mardi Gras they assume that we are a city like Sodom & Gomorrah.  But there are mostly family celebrations, barbeques, crawfish boils.  It was a beautiful day yesterday... thanks for a moral depiction...

Brenda Ramirez (Sent Wednesday, February 06, 2008 9:30 AM)



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