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Photos: The return of Mardi Gras and all its pageantry and parades

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By WWNO Staff

Published March 1, 2022 at 2:31 PM CST

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Krewe of Zulu members, one dressed in black, red and blue and sipping on water, and another dressed in a mostly white embroidered costume, walk down a New Orleans street. — A Krewe of Zulu member takes a sip while walking down Orleans Avenue on Mardi Gras.

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.

A giant float featuring a woman with her hair in rollers is driven down a New Orleans street. — A float rolls down St. Charles Avenue during the Zulu parade on Fat Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

People dressed in wigs and costumes dance on the side of the road during a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. — Revelers dressed in wigs and beads stand on St. Charles Avenue waiting for the next float in the Zulu parade on Fat Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Women wearing elaborate feathered headwear toss items to a crowd during a Mardi Gras parade. — The Maids of Zulu toss "throws" or items to spectators waiting along Orleans Avenue during the Krewe of Zulu parade.

People reach out for beads and other objects thrown from a green float that has a sign that reads "We got the beat" on the side. — Revelers try to catch beads, coconuts and other throws at the Zulu parade down St. Charles on Fat Tuesday.

Drummers, some in costume, perform in a circle during a Mardi Gras parade. — Drummers with the Societé de Sainte Anne parade perform in the Marigny.

A man on a bicycle tows a long silver float draped in white cloth down the street during Mardi Gras. — A float is towed during the St. Anthony's parade on Tuesday.

A king and queen stand on an elaborately decorated white and gold float as people shoot fake money at them at a children's parade. — Gabe Dardar and Breelyn Portier are the king and queen of this year's Montegut Children's Parade. Revelers shoot fake bills at the royalty on Sunday, February 28.

A crowd cheers as beads fly through the air at a children's parade. — Revelers catch throws at the Montegut Children's Parade on Sunday, February 28.

A woman and man dressed in white formal costumes and wearing crowns hand framed proclamations to two men in dark suits. — Terrebonne parish president Gordy Dove and councilman Steve Trosclair shake Krewe de Bonne Terre's King and Queen Forrest and Christina Travirca hands while presenting them with keys to the city.

Three people stand on a float with "American Red Cross" and the iconic Red Cross painted along the side. — Montegut's Krewe de Bonne Terre rolls through about 100 members under the theme of "Bayou Resilience."

A woma dressed in an elaborate blue feathered costume stands on a float against the night sky. — Endymion krewe royalty rides through Mid-City Saturday, Feb. 26, waving at onlookers. This year’s theme for Endymion was “Legends of Fire & Ice.”

A crowd of revelers in costume reach into the night sky to catch items thrown from brightly lit floats. — Parade attendees rush to catch Endymion throws in Mid-City. This year’s items include cups, bags, stuffed plushies to light up necklaces.

Photos: The return of Mardi Gras and all its pageantry and parades

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