As Al Johnson Says, "It's Carnival Time" in New Orleans!

New Orleans, LA -
Mardi Gras Season has officially started as of January 6, Twelfth Night, or as one would learn in Catholic School – The Epiphany. This annual event in New Orleans never gets old! Every year, the Mardi Gras Krewes come up with new themes and new floats. This public sponsored event makes anyone and everyone into a king or queen or a Star War's character, depending on your costume. This year, the actual Mardi Gras date is February 24, but some of my favorite things to do take place weeks before the actual day.

Another tip for this Mardi Gras season is... come early! Just because Mardi Gras day is February 24 doesn't mean that is the only weekend of great events and parades.

I am including some tips from last year, but adding a few new ones. For example, if you ever wanted to be part of a Mardi Gras parade, this year I highly suggest that you come to town the weekend of February 14 and walk with the Krewe of Shangri-La. This is the first year they are allowing people to parade that are not members, or having to pay a membership due, and what a great price they are offering! You can walk in a true old school Mardi Gras parade, through the French Quarter tossing out beads and gifts for less than $400! It is open to all ages, male or female. It is a wonderful experience and the price is right when compared to other Mardi Gras Krewes whose memberships start at $1,000 and do not include beads, throws or the cost to actually ride on the floats. For more information go to kreweofshangrila.com.

Another tip for this Mardi Gras season is... come early! Just because Mardi Gras day is February 24 doesn't mean that is the only weekend of great events and parades. There are parades four weekends before the actual day; make a weekend trip and get some Mardi Gras celebration in early. Some of my favorite parades (like Muses) run a week before actual Mardi Gras day.

If you can't come and join us, have some of your own fun! Order a King Cake, bring some Mardi Gras beads to work and hand them out. Purchase a "Carnival Time" scratch off ticket from Louisiana Lottery, the big wins may really put you in a carnival mood! Wear that crazy hat to work on February 24... let people know it's Mardi Gras!

Here are a few of my top tips:

- Get parade routes before you come. I would suggest going to mardigrasneworleans.com. They have all the parade routes and good insiders tips

- Get to the parade early. It's best if you have a group of people. This way, one person can always be at your spot to "hold" your space while the other goes get food & drinks. Remember in New Orleans you can drink alcohol on the streets as long as it's not in a glass container, so get canned beers or daiquiris to go.

- Watch where you park! Many streets close forty-five minutes before the parade, and they will tow you. Also when the parade starts, make sure you have an exit strategy

- Wear a costume or a flashy hat to the parades. The more you look like you are there to have fun, the more beads and goodies you will get! So grab that feather boa - you will look like a local. If you don't want to stick out on Mardi Gras Day wear a costume, everyone else will be all decked out!

- Be respectful to the police & others. Believe it or not it is illegal to show your breast or urinate in public, especially on parade routes. The NOPD will gladly remind you with a ticket, please be respectful to them, and they will be respectful to you. Also try to be kind to those around you... yes, everyone wants the beads, but we do need to make it fun for everyone.

- Be prepared. Check the NOTV weather report before you go out, we have weather reports on the top of every hour. A hint -- don't wear your feather boa if it's going to rain -- the colors will bleed on to your clothes.

- Don't get too drunk during the parade. I know this sound stupid, but once a parade starts, you may get stuck in a large crowd. You can't cross the street or the police barricades once the parades start rolling, so if you get sick or have to go to the restroom, it could get ugly. Think of the families around you -- you can always drink on Bourbon Street. It's open 24 hours! So maybe just sip some hot toddies during the parades.

- Locate the nearest public bathroom. Most venues will make you purchase a drink before using the facilities. If you have children, look at the site before the parade to find where the closest restrooms are.

- Want to get the most beads? Check the parade route and set up at the very end of the parade route -- you will be there a lot longer but usually the floats start dumping beads at the end. And, they will pile it on.

Check out TripSmarter.Com's Mardi Gras section for photo galleries, parade schedules, videos, and much more.

Happy Mardi Gras season to all of you. Here at NOTV, we do hope you come down and visit New Orleans this Mardi Gras season. If you can't make it this year, I would start planning for next year cause it is early! February 16, 2010.