Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a season unlike any other. Beaded costumes are appropriate on some weekdays, masks aside from N95s are encouraged, and there’s a sense of celebration in the air that can’t be denied. This city-wide good mood usually leads to fantastic parties and new friends, but things can go awry just as quickly. If you’re new to Mardi Gras, or just getting back into the swing of parading in a post-Covid world, here are some reminders that will keep your friends from turning to enemies this Carnival season.
Parades
Everyone wants the best spots to take in all the action! The good news is that with parade routes miles long, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the fun.
If you want to make some new friends along the route, try:
- Keeping an eye out for parking closures. If you see someone parking where they’re about to be towed, let them know! You’ll save their day and make a new friend.
- Sharing your chargers. Spirits may run high during Mardi Gras, but phone batteries often run low. No one wants to get separated from their friends with a dead phone, so if you’ve got the ability to charge up, share!
- Keeping your clothes on. Despite the old reputation, Mardi Gras is a family event. Costumes are encouraged, nudity is not!
If think you have enough friends, you can be sure no one will be added to that list if you:
- Rope off your parade spot. Saving your spot is a hotly debated topic every Carnival season, but it rarely helps you make new friends.
- Move someone else’s saved spot. See above. Even if you think it’s rude to set up before a parade, moving someone else’s things isn’t going to make the situation any better.
- Interfere with the parade. This is not only dangerous, but it could get you in trouble if parade organizers or law enforcement witness you.
- Start a fight. Doing this will get you arrested immediately, and no one wants to make new friends while waiting in OPP for Mardi Gras weekend to end.
Child being given beads at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Throws
Once you’ve arrived at the parade, it’s all about getting those throws! Things can get heated when the shoes and coconuts start flying, but that’s no reason for tensions to rise.
Friends can help everyone have a great time catching throws by:
- Letting the kids in front. Seriously. Even if a family arrives after you, make room for the kiddos and make friends with the parents. Everyone wins in the end!
- Giving up that awesome throw you accidentally caught. Riders usually make it clear who should catch the big throws, so respect the toss and make sure those prized throws get where they’re intended to go.
On the other hand, if you want to ruin someone’s day, you could:
- Move a kid’s ladder. This really shouldn’t require an explanation; just don’t do it!
- Pick up Mardi Gras beads and hand them to someone else. Once they’ve hit the ground, most people consider beads bad luck! Feel free to help clean up, but don’t share what you find on the ground.
Mardi Gras mask in New Orleans.
Parties
Mardi Gras isn’t just parades. Festival season includes all the balls, parties, and revelry that come along with Carnival. It’s an unofficial party in New Orleans that lasts somewhere between five days and five weeks, depending on who’s counting.
If you want to make the most of the whole Mardi Gras season, try:
- Planning ahead for bathroom trips. Bathrooms can be few and far between and establishments don’t appreciate people trying to sneak in just to use the facilities. Keep everyone happy and comfortable by planning ahead!
- Calling a designated driver. Not only will this save your license and reputation, but it could also save a life too.
- Bringing extra plastic cups. Glass is prohibited along the parade route, so bring (or catch!) some extra cups for you and your new friends to use.
However, if you’re determined to make this the worst Mardi Gras yet, you can:
- Mess with a police horse. This will get you a quick ride to OPP and a multi-night stay, depending on how close it is to Fat Tuesday.
- Carry a firearm. Special ordinances prohibit guns along the parade route.
- Consume too much alcohol. While it is legal to drink outside in New Orleans, Mardi Gras isn’t an excuse for overdoing it.
Were you in a Mardi Gras accident?
Although not getting arrested is very important, the number one rule of Mardi Gras is to have fun! But we know that accidents can happen anytime, even during Carnival.
If you were injured in a Mardi Gras accident, contact us for a free case evaluation. We work on a contingency-fee basis. An experienced attorney at Morris Bart will assist you in the evaluation process. Initial consultations are FREE. We have office locations throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. Call us at 1-877-422-1110 today.
