It's Carnival Time - Mardi Gras 2008 in New Orleans!

New Orleans, LA -
New Orleans favorite time of year is here -- Mardi Gras. Starting on the Ephiany and running through until Lent (this year February 5) Mardi Gras is a long standing New Orleans tradition. As far back at 1718, this Catholic based holiday has been filling the streets of New Orleans. Many people do not realize, but this huge event over six weeks long is put on by the public- this is not a corporate sponsor event. You won’t find a Miller Lite or Coke Cola parade, Mardi Gras is entirely funded by the individuals who live in or care about New Orleans. This year it’s early, so grab some clean clothes and an empty bag to fill with Mardi Gras beads and get on down here.

With so many parades, balls and King Cake parties to choose from, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed with Mardi Gras.

With so many parades, balls and King Cake parties to choose from, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed with Mardi Gras. Here are a few tips for first timers to Mardi Gras, and for those of you who visit us every year, maybe you will learn something new!

- Get parade routes before you come. I would suggest TripSmarter.Com's Mardi Gras Parade Schedule where you can find 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 here 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 return the favor. 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 weather that day before you go out on NOTV, 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 coat.

- Don’t get too drunk during the parade- I know this sounds stupid, but once a parade starts you may literally get stuck in a large crowd. You can’t cross the street or the police barricades once the parades start rolling. 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 bathrooms- 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!

For a true traditional experience, I would splurge and purchase tickets to one of the balls. You may have to find a friend in New Orleans to get you into a true Mardi Gras Ball, the tickets range in price from $130 to $1,000 per person. These formal balls are set up so the parade will end at the party. For example, if you are into music, I would suggest the Orpheus Ball; the parade is the Monday night before Fat Tuesday. The Orpheus parade will go through the streets of New Orleans and end at the convention center. Inside the convention center, the floats will actually parade through and throw beads while you are in your tuxedo or formal gown. It’s the best way to watch a parade- indoors! And everything you need will be all around you… food, drinks, friends and live music. If you have been coming to Mardi Gras and never experienced a Mardi Gras Ball, I highly recommend it! You may never want to watch a parade on the streets again! To purchase tickets for Orpheus Ball, you can visit nomcvb.com - check under calendar of events.

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- February 24, 2009.