New Orleans' Mayor C. Ray Nagin has officially begun the 2004 Carnival season by hosting the King Cake Party on January 6th at Gallier Hall. Carnival royalty, tourism officials and other guests came out to celebrate with the mayor on the 12th day after Christmas, which is the traditional start of the Carnival season. At the party, the mayor announced that Sanitation Department ordered 500 new trash cans to help keep the streets clean during Carnival, and that he is working with parade organizers, law enforcement and City officials and tourism industry insiders to make sure that New Orleans has a safe and enjoyable Carnival. To learn more about the King Cake Party, click here.

Also, check out the Mardi Gras Home Page to get all the info you need to prepare for Mardi Gras 2004!