It was Feb. 25, 2020, when New Orleans last celebrated Mardi Gras day as residents and tourists normally would: with Zulu, Rex, a St. Ann’s costume contest and so much more throughout the day.
But it was that same normal Carnival season that caused COVID-19 to spread, put New Orleans on the map for being a virus hotspot and would eventually lead to the cancellation of parades the following year.
This year, Fat Tuesday is back, albeit with mask and vaccine mandates. To mark this historic return of Carnival season, the New Orleans Public Radio team put together a gallery of Fat Tuesday festivities and beyond.

Katelyn Umholtz
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WWNO + WRKF

Katelyn Umholtz
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WWNO + WRKF

Halle Parker
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WWNO

Katelyn Umholtz
/
WWNO + WRKF

Rosemary Westwood
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WWNO

Carly Berlin
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WWNO

Kezia Setyawan
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WWNO

Kezia Setyawan
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WWNO

Kezia Setyawan
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WWNO

Kezia Setyawan
/
WWNO

Kezia Setyawan
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WWNO

Kezia Setyawan
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WWNO