Revelers Pack Sunny New Orleans for Parades of Mardi Gras Finale

Mardi Gras drew hundreds of thousands of people to town for Tuesday’s masquerading, parade-watching and merriment, a ritual of excess that ends Carnival and signals the beginning of Lent.

Before dawn, thousands of people already were staking out front-line positions along the routes of the more spectacular of 15 parades that were rolling in and around the city from morning until late at night. Thousands of others continued celebrations in the French Quarter.

Along St. Charles Avenue, thousands of people set up camp on the median that carries the nation’s oldest streetcar line. Aromas of barbecued chicken, sausage, hot dogs and hamburgers wafted from grills into a sunny sky.

Early arrivals along the parade routes set up ladders with kiddie seats to give youngsters a good view and a chance to compete with adults for the souvenirs that are tossed from the floats.

Between parades, revelers, many in elaborate disguises, strolled along the avenue and visited with friends. Costumes ranged from families of Dalmatians to Robocops and aliens. Walking bananas mingled with Wizard of Oz characters and African warriors wandered past white alligators in top hats and tails.

Similar scenes were played out on Canal Street, the main downtown thoroughfare.