Overcast skies and the threat of rain couldn’t dampen the revelry of Mardi Gras in New Olreans as parades took to the streets early this morning, showering merrymaking crowds with trinkets of all kinds. The parades began around dawn, with parade-goers lining up despite the threat of inclement weather. Some families had even camped out overnight to stake out choice spots despite the weather. National Weather Service meteorologist Freddie Zeigler says there’s an 80% chance of rain, with showers likely moving into the metro area during the morning. Fog blanketed the riverfront and business district in the early morning. Still, lulls in precipitation are predicted to occur throughout the day, and no parade has been canceled. “It’s going to be dicey, though, for parades, but it all depends on how fast that warm front moves to the north,” Zeigler says. Riders in the Zulu parade boarded floats staged before dawn at the city’s huge convention enter. They loaded aboard the trinkets, beads, doubloons and other throws that hundreds of thousands would be clamoring for in a matter of hours. Zulu was the first float parade of the day, starting at 8 a.m., followed by the parade of Rex, King of Carnival, at 10 a.m. The Associated Press has more Fat Tuesday coverage from New Orleans here.
Today’s poll question: Are you working today or do you have the day off for Mardi Gras?
