NEW ORLEANS — As Mardi Gras Day unfolds, the streets of New Orleans are set to welcome thousands of revelers donning vibrant beads and elaborate costumes. Despite impending severe weather conditions, the celebrations are pushing forward with some modifications.
To adapt to the anticipated storms, the city’s most significant parades, led by the Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex, will proceed with adjusted schedules and routes. According to New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, these parades will start earlier, follow shorter paths, and omit marching bands for precautionary reasons. All festivities must conclude by 11:30 a.m. local time to preempt worsening weather conditions.
“It’s a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of New Orleans’ citizens and visitors,” said Darren Mire, spokesperson for the Krewe of Zulu. He emphasized the necessity of proactive measures, acknowledging that earlier festivities are crucial to maintaining safety. He assured that spectators would still enjoy the Zulu parade with all its exuberance, albeit at an earlier time.
The National Weather Service has forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by winds potentially reaching 60 mph (100 kph) throughout Tuesday. As a precaution, Jefferson Parish officials have canceled their parades entirely. Kirkpatrick cautioned attendees against bringing any items like umbrellas or tents that could become hazardous in high winds. She also indicated that the parades could be abruptly canceled if the morning weather significantly deteriorates.
“If adverse weather conditions arise, I won’t hesitate to cancel the parades, regardless of the timing,” Kirkpatrick stated. Meanwhile, two additional parades featuring nearly 200 truck floats have been postponed to the following Sunday.
Surrounding areas like Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, are also observing their Mardi Gras Day events. These festivities serve as the climax of the lengthy carnival season, with Fat Tuesday celebrations of feasting and revelry leading into Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent in the Christian faith, which precedes Easter Sunday. Consequently, this year’s Mardi Gras Day aligns later in the calendar year.
In New Orleans, the festivity is a grand display of secular celebration through street parties, dazzling balls, and animated parades. It kicks off with the North Side Skull and Bone Gang, a group with a legacy spanning over two centuries. Before dawn, they rouse residents in the Treme neighborhood with their rhythmic drumming.
Another cultural highlight is the appearance of the renowned Black masking Indians, who exhibit remarkable beaded and feathered costumes. This 1800s tradition plays an integral role in celebrating African American heritage within the city. The acclaimed Krewe of Zulu parade is anticipated to feature hundreds of members tossing cherished trinkets like beads and extravagantly decorated coconuts to onlookers. The Krewe of Rex, characterized by their purple, green, and gold hues, is led by the honorary king of the carnival season.
Due to the tragic incident at the start of the year when a truck attack claimed 14 lives, security measures for Mardi Gras have been significantly amplified. The Department of Homeland Security has identified the event with its highest risk rating, thus increasing the presence of law enforcement. Safety barriers line the primary parade routes to thwart any potential vehicle threats, supplemented by SWAT teams and patrolling helicopters to safeguard the festivities.
