New Orleans — A marching group arrives at Canal Street ahead of the Krewe of Zulu on Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, ends at midnight in New Orleans, just before Ash Wednesday ushers in Lent.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

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New Orleans — A sea of hands reaches for beads being thrown from floats during the Krewe of Zulu parade on Canal Street.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Herman Lombas, center, a member of musician Pete Fountain's Half-Fast Marching Club, keeps his hat dry as he hands out beads.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Costumed revelers stroll down St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club toss beads to revelers as they parade down St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Members of the Krewe of Zulu give out small stuffed animals, beads, doubloons, trinkets and elaborately decorated coconuts to revelers.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SKIP BOLEN / European Pressphoto Agency

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New Orleans — Lilah Wartelle, 3, is thrilled after catching a bag of beads thrown from a float during the Rex parade on St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — A costumed reveler enjoys Mardi Gras celebrations in the French Quarter.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

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New Orleans LA, USA — Members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade down St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Members of the Krewe of Rex arrive on Canal Street.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

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New Orleans — A group of revelers reaches for beads tossed from a float during the Mardi Gras parade on St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club clown around as they ride on a float down Jackson Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — A marching group arrives on Canal Street ahead of the Krewe of Zulu.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Metallic riders on a float in the Rex parade toss beads on St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Feathered revelers dance on Royal Street as the Krewe of Rex passes by on Canal Street.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

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New Orleans — Richard Porter and his wife, Jennifer, stroll through the streets of the French Quarter during Mardi Gras celebrations. The Porters met at Mardi Gras in New Orleans 22 years ago.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

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