New Orleans — The Rex Parade moves through the central business district as Mardi Gras celebrations build to a climax in the Big Easy.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54447

0

New Orleans — A reveler on Jackson Avenue is handed a coconut by a member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club in the passing From Zulu With Love float during the Zulu Parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: John McCusker / TIMES-PICAYUNE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54448

1

New Orleans — The Krewe of Rex signature Jester float approaches Canal Street along St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ted Jackson / TIMES-PICAYUNE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54449

2

New Orleans — A bee and her keeper, Rosa and Larry Fores, take a break from the buzz of activity on St. Charles Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: ELIOT KAMENITZ / Times-Picayune

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54450

3

New Orleans — Crowds fill Bourbon Street outside Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop and Bar in the final fleeting hours of Mardi Gras in the French Quarter.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SKIP BOLEN / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54451

4

New Orleans, Louisiana — The Treme Jazz Band marches through the French Quarter in New Orleans on Mardi Gras, the last day of the Carnival season ending at midnight, a daylong celebration of parades, marching groups and people in costumes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54411

5

New Orleans, Louisiana — A close-up view of the brand-new Butterfly King float as it gets ready to roll in the 2012 Krewe of Rex Parade during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Mardi Gras, which translates as Fat Tuesday, ends at midnight, just before Ash Wednesday ushers in Lent.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SKIP BOLEN / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54412

6

New Orleans, Louisiana — A member of the Krewe of Zulu costumed for the krewe's parade down Jackson Avenue early in the morning on Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SKIP BOLEN / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54413

7

New Orleans, Louisiana — Dancers perform in the Krewe of Zulu Parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SKIP BOLEN / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54414

8

New Orleans, Louisiana — Debbie Miller, left, Nidia Vodanovick and Julie Noto, dressed as Senior-Sations, a takeoff on the New Orleans Saints cheerleaders, walk through the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54415

9

New Orleans, Louisiana — The Zulu Parade moves through the central business district of New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54416

10

New Orleans, Louisiana — Robert Detrinis and his wife Lenny Detrinis walk through the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54417

11

New Orleans — Members of Pete Fountain's Half Fast Marching Club begins to parade through the streets of New Orleans. Tuesday is the last day of the Mardi Gras celebration ending at midnight, after a daylong celebration with parades, marching groups and people in costumes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54361

12

New Orleans — The Mardi Gras "Krewe of Tucks" parade drives through the streets.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54362

13

New Orleans — Actress Hilary Swank walks to her float in the staging area before the start of a Mardi Gras parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54363

14

New Orleans — Actress Mariska Hargitay throws beads while riding in the Mardi Gras parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54364

15

New Orleans — A Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Proteus Parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Skip Bolen / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54365

16

New Orleans — Cyndi Lauper goes to her waiting Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Skip Bolen / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54366

17

New Orleans — A Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Proteus Parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Skip Bolen / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54367

18

New Orleans, LA — Riders on the "Muses Go Shopping" float keep their eyes on the hundreds of hands passing them by at the Krewe of Muses Parade in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54118

19

Mobile, Ala — Riders toss beads and toys as floats roll down Napoleon Avenue at the Krewe of Babylon Parade in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: G.M. ANDREWS / PRESS-REGISTER

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54119

20

New Orleans, LA — Riders toss beads and toys as floats roll down Napoleon Avenue at the Krewe of Babylon Parade in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54120

21

New Orleans — Riders toss beads from floats at the Krewe of Chaos Parade in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54121

22

Mobile, Ala. — Revelers with the Mystic Stripers toss trinkets to the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala. The pre Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast, culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 21. Tourism leaders estimate more than a million visitors pour into the Mobile area each Mardi Gras season to watch the festivities.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: G.M. ANDREWS / PRESS-REGISTER

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54122

23

New Orleans, LA — Actress and New Orleans native Patricia Clarkson was the honorary Muse as she rides in a giant shoe down St. Charles Avenue at the Krewe of Muses Parade in New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54123

24

New Orleans, LA — Actress Patricia Clarkson talks to another rider on her float as she rides in the Muses Mardi Gras Parade through the streets of New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54124

25

Mobile, Ala. — A reveler with the Mystic Stripers tosses trinkets to the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala. The pre Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 21.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: G.M. ANDREWS / PRESS-REGISTER

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54125

26

New Orleans, LA — The Muses Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the streets of New Orleans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bill Haber / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54126

27