Mardi Gras in New Orleans (40 images)

Masked riders toss beads to the crowd during the Krewe of Hermes parade as it rolls down St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans February 8, 2013, on the last weekend of the Carnival season. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is February 12. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Carrying torches called flambeaux, marchers light the way for the Krewe of Hermes parade as it rolls down St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans February 8, 2013, on the last weekend of the Carnival season. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is February 12. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Revelers reach for trinkets from the Krewe d'Etat parade as it rolls down historic St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans February 8, 2013, on the last weekend of the Carnival season. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is February 12. UPI/A.J. Sisco

Members of a group calling itself the "Skeleton Krewe" lead the way for Krewe d'Etat on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans February 8, 2013, on the last weekend of the Carnival season. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is February 12. UPI/A.J. Sisco