Carnival parades roll though historic Uptown New Orleans

With the branches of an ancient oak tree in the background, a masked and hooded rider is led down Napoleon Avenue during the Krewe of Thoth parade as Carnival in New Orleans kicks into high gear February 19, 2012. Several parades that were cancelled yesterday rolled with today's scheduled ones, creating nearly nonstop parading on the historic Uptown route. Fat Tuesday is February 21. (UPI/A.J. Sisco)