Mardi Gras in New Orleans (30 images)

A maid in a brightly feathered headdress dispenses beads from the Carrollton parade on Napoleon Avenue as Carnival gets under way in New Orleans February 7, 2010. The parade season culminates on Mardi Gras, which is February 16 this year. UPI / A.J. Sisco

A maid in a brightly feathered headdress dispenses beads from the Carrollton parade on Napoleon Avenue as Carnival gets under way in New Orleans February 7, 2010. The parade season culminates on Mardi Gras, which is February 16 this year. UPI / A.J. Sisco

A maid in a brightly feathered headdress dispenses beads from the Carrollton parade on Napoleon Avenue as Carnival gets under way in New Orleans February 7, 2010. The parade season culminates on Mardi Gras, which is February 16 this year. UPI / A.J. Sisco

Katherine and John Blyth of New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras in the French Quarter on February 16, 2010. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Katherine and John Blyth of New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras in the French Quarter on February 16, 2010. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Katherine and John Blyth of New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras in the French Quarter on February 16, 2010. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Members of a walking club march though the French Quarter on Mardi Gras in New Orleans on February 16, 2010. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club toss trinkets to the crowd as their parade rolls down St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans on Mardi Gras, February 16, 2010. Zulu, a traditionally African-American Carnival organization has been parading for over a hundred years. UPI/A.J. Sisco