Mary Truenner, of Toronto, wears a Mardi Gras mask during the beginning of the carnival celebration in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.
Toasting New Orleans
Pete Fountain gives a toast as he leads his Half Fast Walking Club through the streets of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. This is the 50th year Fountain has led his group celebrating the all day street party of Mardi Gras.
Still Magnificent Mardi Gras
Nancy Gray watches Pete Fountain's Half Fast Waling Club march by at the start of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. This is Gray's 36th year of celebrating Mardi Gras.
Parade Pomp
A masked official in the Mardi Gras Parade of Bacchus waves to the crowd as he starts his ride through the streets of New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.
Golden Boy of New Orleans
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees watches after throwing a small football while riding in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7.
Reigning Saints
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, left, prepares to throw a small football as his wife Brittany looks on at the start of the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7.
Parading an MVP
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws a small football while riding in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7.
Fine Fanfare
One of the floats in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade makes its way through the streets of New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.
A Parade for All
St. Augustine High School Marching 100 perform in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. The parade starts in the neighborhoods of the Crescent City before making its way to the central business district.
Floating Along
One of the floats in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade makes its way through the streets of New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.
Driving Brees' Carriage
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Super Bowl MVP grabs the reigns of the horse on his float as he prepares to ride in the Bacchus Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7.
Colorful Characters
A costumed Mardi Gras float rider tosses beads as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.
Got Beads?
A masked Mardi Gras float rider tosses beads as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.
Beads in the Trees
Mardi Gras beads hang in a tree along the Tucks parade route as the parade moves through the streets of New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. Riders from the floats often have their throws end up in the trees that line the route.
Like a Queen
A masked officer of the Iris parade rides through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.
Floating on Mardi Gras
A masked Mardi Gras float rider in the Iris parade yells to the crowd during her ride through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.