Carnival in New Orleans (12 images)

A rider tosses beads from a float during the Mid-City parade on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans March 6, 2011. Carnival season is under way in New Orleans with parades every day until Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, March 8. (UPI Photo/A.J. Sisco)

Riders toss beads from a float called "Spring Break" during the Thoth parade on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans March 6, 2011. Carnival season is under way in New Orleans with parades every day until Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, March 8. (UPI Photo/A.J. Sisco)

A masked lieutenant waits during a pause in the Thoth parade on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans March 6, 2011. Carnival season is under way in New Orleans with parades every day until Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, March 8. (UPI Photo/A.J. Sisco)

A rider tosses a handful of beads to the crowd during the Thoth parade on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans March 6, 2011. Carnival season is under way in New Orleans with parades every day until Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, March 8. (UPI Photo/A.J. Sisco)