Mardi Gras has always been a celebration of New Orleans culture, but following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, this year it is a redemption of it.
Arthur Hardy, a Mardi Gras expert who writes the annual Mardi Gras Guide, said New Orleans is sending the right message by holding Mardi Gras, even if there are shorter routes and fewer parades.
“I do [think holding Mardi Gras is a good idea] because I think it says we’re down but we’re not out,” said Hardy. “To not do it would be to say New Orleans is done for.”
Hardy said because of the effects of the hurricane only 27 of the usual 34 krewes will be riding this year. All of the larger parades will still run. The routes will all follow the same path and be a bit shorter.
“The reason for that is to keep the police on the street for few hours,” said Hardy.
Hardy said there is a shortage of both police and money, and that the shorter routes help solve both problems while still allowing Mardi Gras festivities. All the routes will be about a mile long.
Hardy said Hurricane Katrina has affected Mardi Gras in more ways than just the routes and number of parades. Many parades have chosen themes that revolve around Katrina and the political reaction to it.
“[The parades will have] lots of Katrina-related themes, poking fun at the president and mayor,” said Hardy.
Hardy said he thinks Mardi Gras will be a bit more mellow than usual, with crowds made up mostly of locals rather than the strong tourist base of past years.
“I think there will be lots of day- trippers this year,” said Hardy.
Mardi Gras will be beneficial for the city in more practical ways than showing the world New Orleans can still hold its tradition. Hardy said the city will make desperately needed money off of the holiday.
“The city normally spends 5 million in police and sanitation and gets 21 million back in taxes,” said Hardy.
But in the midst of all of this, most of the krewes have not forgotten that Katrina partially destroyed New Orleans and are doing all they can to give back, something Hardy said is quite untraditional.
“The biggest [difference] is the philanthropic efforts,” said Hardy. “Many of the krewes are giving money back to the city.”
Despite an enormous natural disaster, people will be sitting in lawn chairs, beer in hand, king cakes on a picnic blanket next to them, watching huge, colored floats and marching bands pass. Holding Mardi Gras is proof that New Orleans has not given up.
For a full New Orleans parades schedule, visit www.mardigrasnew-orleans.com.
 
Contact Travis Andrews at [email protected]