Mardi Gras Across the South

New Orleans Party

"I have several Louisana friends that have moved to Mississippi due to Katrina. I love going back to their home town and visit."

-Betty Z.

Gone to the Dogs

"My poms, Poche & VooDoo, celebrating carnival on our stoop in the French Quarter."

-Meg H.

In the King's Seat

"My wife just had to get between King and Queen."

-Ronald Y.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

"Masquerade Party ~ The Winter's annual theme party."

-Cheryl W.

I May Run Out of Beads!

"This is a picture of my sister, Mary Terry, getting ready to ride in a Mardi Gras Parade in Monroe, LA."

-Theriot K.

Spanish Town Ball

"This is how we party with best friends!!! Good food, good friends, great time!!!"

-Renne J.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

"Our book club celebrated "mardi gras" style this month -- cajun food and lots of bling!"

-Phyllis S.

Mardi Gras Bridal Shower

"Mardi Gras Cupcake Tower and King Cakes - delicious and beautiful! Bridal Shower for Rebecca S. & Paul U."

-Monica S.

Happy Mardi Gras!!

"Two friendly vendors"

-Jennifer S.

Mudbugs & Me

Louisville Goes to Mardi Gras

"This is a party I gave in Baton Rouge, LA, for my friend's tennis team, visiting from Louisville, KY."

-Cindy M.

Mardi Gras-Themed Birthday Party

Murder at Mardi Gras

"Last year for Mardi Gras we hosted a Murder Mystery dinner party - Murder at Mardi Gras. Everyone came dressed in character along with their Mardi Gras garb. We had a great time!!!"

-Tina L.

Zulu Coconut!

"On St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, 2011. I chased the Mr. Big Stuff float 2 blocks for my coconut."

-Sterling L.

Krewe of Rio - Lafayette, LA

"Sugar Loaf Mountain Float - Krew of Rio - Members Rick L. and Margaret C."

-Richard L.

Who Wouldn't Want to be Us?

"Mardi Gras New Orleans Style!!"

-Althea L.

Mardi Gras Float

Mardi Gras Dinner

"Several members of our Literary Club hosted a Mardi Gras dinner to benefit our library."

-Betty H.

Off to the Party!

"Golf cart parade on the way to the Mardi Gras party!"

-Sara H.

Bead Bait

"This is me in 1998 after my first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade when my family lived in Mandeville, Louisiana. I now live in Birmingham, and I would love to go back to celebrate in the Big Easy!"

-Allyson

Drunken German Polka Band Singing the Schnitzelbank

"This photo was taken during one of the funnest days of our lives - the last Mardi Gras before Katrina! Sadly, my husband and I no longer live in New Orleans since the storm, but we proudly display this photo in our home in reminder of all of our great friends in this fabulous city."

-Christy A.

Mardi Gras Queens

"My friends, Melanie and Barbara C. with their friend Martha at my Mardi Gras party, 2009"

-Laurel B.

Baubles Galore

"After attending her first Mardi Gras parade, Eastin's beads weighed more than she did!"

-Kim B.

Tro Me Sumphin Mista!

"Mardi Gras 2011 on St Charles - I'm with the feather boa - I have no idea who I am taking a picture with! Dat's N'Awlins!"

-Laura B.

Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez

"It's party time with my Champagne Sistas"

-Mary C.

Mardi Gras King Cake

"Classic King Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese filling in the center. Cream Cheese Frosting, decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras Colors. This is how I display the Cake for the Mardi Gras Parties we host every year"

-Leslie C.

Throw Me Something Mister!

"Krewe of Oberon Mardi Gras Ball"

-Jillian D.

Mardi Gras Beauties Get the Beads Everytime

"Shannon, Marie, Cathy and Rie dressed in their Fat Tuesday best"

-John D.

Mardi Gras Mask

"Eunice, LA, Mardi Gras"

-John D.

Mardi Gras at the Florida "Keyes"

"Mardi Gras Party I hosted with Linda Keyes"

-Joan F.

King and Queen of Georgia Mardi Gras

"My husband and I at our annual Mardi Gras party in Statesboro, GA. We bring bon temps to our friends in the peach state every year!"

-Julie F.

Barkus 2011

"Mama, Papa, Paige, Kennedy & Vinny (Italian Greyhound) at Barkus 2011"

-Amanda G.

Mardi Gras Parade

Spanish Town Mardi Gras Ball

"Anything Flamigo's and Pink Goes! Baton Rouge, LA"

-Christine G.

Fat Tuesday on Canal Street

"My husband and I dress in costume every year. Here we are on Canal Street in the great city of New Orleans!"

-Kathryn G.

The masks of Mardi Gras!

"Mardi Gras mask makes a party! Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

-Sandra H.

Big Cat Mardi Gras

"A photo of my daughter and I from the Mardi Gras party we threw last year in Tucker, Georgia."

-Crystal H.

Holy Ghost Rosary Society King Cake Party

"Ladies Rosary Society of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond, La holds its annual King Cake Parties every Wednesday during the Mardi Gras Season"

-Carole

2011 Mardi Gras of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, AR

"Small by most standards, the Fayetteville Mardi Gras has built its own character."

-Don

Laissez les bon temps rouler

"My handsome husband and I at a Mardi Gras ball honoring the military on the Gulf Coast"

-Jamie

Krewe Bon Temps Village Mardi Gras Dance

"A traditional courir de Mardi Gras krewe formed in our neighborhood. Homemade costumes, hats and screened masks."

-Cara

Bling

"Check out the bling on this guy."

-Gladys

Laissez les bons temps roulez! (In a Texas French classroom!)

"Every year at Mardi Gras time the French classes here at Belton High school decorate the classroom and bring Cajun and French food for a New Orleans syle party and cultural event. Students learn all about Mardi Gras/New Orleans traditions and history, food, and how it fits in the timeline of events from Christmas to Easter. I am a French teacher at the High School and would bring my Mom with me if I won the contest. She is 82 and used to go to the Monteleone as a child when she lived in Mississippi!!!"

-Cynthia

Mardi Gras Glitz

"No one sparkles and shines like these glitzy sisters!"

-Christi

Bead Chick

"Madison enjoying Mardi Gras in Gretna, LA"

-Julie

Sweet 16

"Dolly's family threw her a Mardi Gras party in celebration of her 90th birthday! Sixty of her closest friends came in Mardi Gras colors and beads to enjoy the delicious food and drinks! Dolly's favorites off the menu were the bread pudding with whiskey sauce and the "Tropical Storms" (a lighter version of a Hurricane!)."

-Kimberly

Mardi Gras Bachelorette Party

"A Mardi Gras bachelorette party in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans"

-Kaycee

Madame Mardi

Rock N Roll All Night

"The Kiss Krewe own the streets of the Quarter and ready to roll! Laissez les bons temps rouler"

-Linda

My Grandmother's 90th Birthday Party

"Dolly's family threw her a Mardi Gras party in celebration of her 90th birthday! Sixty of her closest friends came in Mardi Gras colors and beads to enjoy the delicious food and drinks! Dolly's favorites off the menu were the bread pudding with whiskey sauce and the "Tropical Storms" (a lighter version of a Hurricane!)."

-Kimberley

Katelynn's Wedding

"My daughter got married in Soulard (in St Louis) on Mardi Gras last year. She picked the date because it was her grandmother's birthday. We didn't even realize it was Mardi Gras at first. But then, you can see that we just went with the theme. This photo was taken at the Mad Art Gallery, where they got married. It's an old police precinct."

-Lisa

Mr & Mrs Mardi Gras Mambo?

"Mardi Gras Dance Party at Dance Connection in Pearl Mississippi"

--Teresa

Mardi Gras-Scott, LA

-Thomas

Threaux Me Sumptin, Mista!

-Teresa

Jesters Deux Mardi Gras

"Norma and Macky prepared for Fat Tuesday fun!"

-Norma

Happy Mardi Gras!!

"Victor and Marian B. celebrate Mardi Gras in Bilox, Mississippi."

-Marian

Goats 'n Girls Gone Wild

"We own a goat dairy in Louisiana, so for the Mardi Gras Parade in Marksville, Louisiana, it's natural that our two-legged grandkids dress to reflect our love of our four-legged kids."

-Marguerite

Jester Jazz

"Knights of Babylon 2010 parade in New Orleans as they come down St. Charles. My husband is in the Krewe and they always have a night parade. Due to bad weather it was rescheduled to daytime and finally I was able to get some great pictures. The title that year was 'Masks of Men'."

-Kathryn

Mardi Gras with the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable!

"Seed and Feed Marching Abominable Band from Atlanta, GA at the Front Page News Mardi Gras Party"

-Jenny

Parade Party

"Daughter, friends and I making ready for the parade to roll."

-Debbie

Jack's Haul

"My son Jack was sure he wouldn't catch any good throws at Spanish Town '09 -- Just look at that haul!"

-Anne Marie

Le Carnaval

"Let it begin--2012!!"

-Andrea

Mardi Gras 2012 Krewe of Rio

"Me and my husband—the parade theme was Spells and Voodoo"

-Amy

We love to RIO and Mardi Gras!

"Waiting for the Krewe of Carnivale En Rio parada to roll!"

-Dawn

Ready for a Parade

"Krewe of Rio, Sugar Loaf Mountain float riders, Kevin and Kat, are ready to ride!"

-Katrina

The Culture Behind Mardi Gras

"Shira R. and Samantha K. celebrate with a traditional Mardi Gras Indian."

-Samantha K.

Spanish Town Mardi Gras Ball

"Me, my hubby, and our friend Catherine at our first Mardi Gras Ball -- What a night!"

-Anne

Knight of Momus Galveston Texas

-Christie

Mardi Gras Bachelorette Party

"What's better than a Bachelorette Party? A Bachelorette Party during Carnival Time! We celebrated the bride with a night out in the Big Easy: House of Blues, Endymion Parade, a ride on the bull at Bourbon Cowboy, and ended the night with DJ Jubilee and his New Orleans Bounce!"

-Courtney

The Haul

"Grace and her daddy after attending the Muses parade in uptown New Orleans"

-Jack

The King and Queen of Mardi Gras

"Mardi Gras in Edinburg, VA. My husband and I have been hosting a Mardi Gras party for 15 years in Edinburg, VA."

-JJ

Let the Good Times Roll

"Our first Mardi Gras party ever! What fun! Jambalaya, King Cakes & games!"

-Pam C.

Toddler & Tiara Tantrum

"This toddler had a tiara worthy tantrum on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans."

-Ryan S.

Hilly Holbrook Loves Pie & Mardi Gras

"Hilly Holbrook from "The Help" just loved Mardi Gras in New Orleans. She offered a taste of her delicious pie to everyone she saw, but for some reason no one wanted a taste."

-John Marc S.

13th Annual Richardson Mardi Gras

"Being South Louisiana natives living in Tennessee we started our own Mardi Gras traditions with a parade and Cajun food 13 years ago. Children and grandchildren love to dress up and "parade" in their battery-operated 4 wheelers."

-Rhonda R.

Mardi Gras 2012

"Krewe of Warriors/Pensacola, Florida BIGTOP Warriors"

-Donna J.

Jean Lafitte Wannabe's

"We attended a krewe ball with a Louisiana bicentennial theme. Our group was a gang of Jean Lafitte's pirates."

-Rebecca A.

Michael and Wendy C. Let the Good Times Roll!

"Mystic Order of Shiners Mardi Gras Ball, Gulf Shores, AL, February 18, 2012."

-Wendy C.

Happy Mardi Gras

"We have an annual Mardi Gras Party with about 40 friends. It's the best party of the year with homemade red beans and rice that I learned how to cook at the New Orleans School of Cooking and King Cake. So much fun!"

-Tanya E.

King Cake Party in TX

"Ladies at my house having a King Cake Party with Haydels King Cake and mimosas, of course."

-Virginia D.

Catchin' Some Throws with Daddy in Mobile

"This was my kid's fist Mardi Gras and boy did they have a good time!"

-Leah S.

Ready for Mardi Gras

"Belle, ready for Mardi Gras"

-Susan M.

Let the Good Times Roll

"My husband and I at a friend's last minute Mardi Gras Party. I made costumes of stuff just laying around in a matter of hours. We were the only ones that came dressed too. Had a blast! Not that we weren't the center of attention!"

-Donna M.

Mardi Gras Murder Mystery!

"We had a Mardi Gras Party complete with Jambalaya, King Cake, Hurricanes, and a case of 'Who done it?' Oh, and lots of beads!"

-Tamara K.

Two Old Broads Living the Dream

"My sister-in-law and I were vacationing on Anna Maria Island and couldn't resist this Mardi Gras moment!"

-Deborah S.

Mardi Gras Malaise

"This little guy attended the annual 'Folly Gras' parade and celebration in Folly Beach, SC. As you can see, he was thrilled....."

-Mary A.

Happy Mardi Gras!

-Leighton S.

Tragique at Muses

"This is my friend as his Mardi Gras alter ego Tragique. He is with my son at our first ever Mardi Gras. Tragique only comes out once a year during Mardi Gras at the Muses parade. Tragique was the Bella of the Ball on St. Charles."

-Patti S.

A 29-Year-Old Mardi Gras Tradition in Seguin, Texas

"Three weeks before Mardi Gras, Sue, who was born and raised in New Orleans and who met her Texas Aggie at Mardi Gras, decorates their ranch home in grand MG style, inside & out. The jazz is playing loudly, and then the cooking begins! All food, including the almond cream filled King Cake, is lovingly homemade by Sue from old family recipes. Sue brings out the good china, crystal, and silver for this very special event. Then it’s “laissez les bons temps roulez! Lively jazz, Mardi Gras beads & Hurricane cocktails welcome the guests.  When Fred met Sue while marching in the Rex parade on St. Charles Ave., he asked her to go to the Ball that night. It was truly a Cinderella-like story, one which we love to share and celebrate every year with our friends at our ranch in Texas. One last note...Happy Mardi Gras! and…GEAUX SAINTS!"

-Sue B.

I Caught a Shoe from Muses!

"Chelsea at the Muses Parade 2012"

-Kathy H.

Slim Jim

"Slim Jim takes a break from Mardi Gras festivities."

-Kenneth E.

Lafayette Loot!

"Our little Louisiana family just moved back to the states after living for five years in England. This way our first Mardi Gras back!"

-Stephanie B.

Nanny at Mardi Gras

"This is my mother-in-law from Baker, LA - 90-years-young!"

-MaryFran A.

Michaela's 5th Birthday and Mardi Gras Ball

-Stephanie G.

Our Party Animal

"Our beloved Vizsla loved to party! She would make sure everyone felt welcome!"

-Susan P.

Jazz Hands

"Jazz Hands with Al Hirt playing Bourbon Street Parade"

-Kathy H.

Fat Tuesday (Celebrated in NC— Alabama Style!)

"Being from Mobile, AL and attending Mardi Gras there for 50 years, it is has become a yearly event on 'Fat Tuesday' each year now (in Charlotte, North Carolina) that I transform my restaurant in Matthews, NC to create an atmosphere that the customers can feel & enjoy the likes of the 'original' Mardi Gras! Happy Mardi Gras!"

-Jennifer P.

Throw Me Some Beads...Or a Bone!

"Tallulahbelle donned her finest Mardi Gras attire for the Mystic Krewe of Barkus' New Orleans Mardi Gras dog parade."

-Leah L.

Krewe of Rix - Biloxi, MS

"Revelers Mardi Gras in Biloxi, MS at Gulf Coast Carnival parade"

-Holly C.

Our Party Has Gone to the Dogs...

"Birdee, Bella, Beasley, & Elphie, four little Southern Belles, celebrating Mardi Gras..."

-Denise B.

Faces of Mardi Gras

"Couple wearing vibrant masks celebrating Fat Tuesday on Bourbon Street, 2012"

-Tonya K.