Mardi Gras Crowds in New Orleans

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Mardi Gras season is upon us again. Despite the widespread devestation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Mardi Gras capitol of the United States has now kicked off its annual celebration, albeit with smaller crowds than previous years. As a former resident of New Orleans myself (I received my law degree from Tulane University), I am elated to see the city recovering. As insurance companies continue to come up with creative ways to avoid paying the valid insurance claims of Katrina victims, it's good to see the citizens of New Orleans at least have something to be happy about.

From the article at Magicvalley.com:

Five parades rolled back-to-back in New Orleans on Saturday under cloudy damp skies through neighborhoods left mostly unscathed by the Aug. 29 storm. More were scheduled for Sunday and next weekend, leading up to Fat Tuesday on Feb. 28.

Capt. Juan Quinton, a police spokesman, said no major problems were reported along the route and that crowds, though small, were having fun.

Many of the residents attending the parades said Mardi Gras is an important part of the city's heritage. Children and families often gather on the same street corners year after year.

"What would the city be without Mardi Gras?" said 17-year-old Sadie Ables, standing on Lee Circle in the same spot three generations of her family has gathered for decades.

Her mother, 37-year-old Shelly Guidry, conceded she had conflicts about the cost to the city, especially given how many people remain displaced from homes.

Read the full article here.