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Mardi Gras

The Treme Jazz Band marches through the French Quarter in New Orleans on Mardi Gras, the last day of the Carnival season ending at midnight, a daylong celebration of parades, marching groups and people in costumes.

The Treme Jazz Band marches through the French Quarter in New Orleans on Mardi Gras, the last day of the Carnival season ending at midnight, a daylong celebration of parades, marching groups and people in costumes.  (Bill Haber / Associated Press)

Mardi Gras. It brings to mind beads, parties and fancy floats in as people cram in all the fun they can before the austere religious period known as Lent begins. Scenes from parades in New Orleans and Mobile., Ala.

Butterfly King float

A close-up view of the brand-new Butterfly King float as it gets ready to roll in the 2012 Krewe of Rex Parade during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Mardi Gras, which translates as Fat Tuesday, ends at midnight, just before Ash Wednesday ushers in Lent.  (Skip Bolen / EPA)

Krewe of Zulu

A member of the Krewe of Zulu costumed for the krewe’s parade down Jackson Avenue early in the morning on Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  (Skip Bolen / EPA)

Krewe of Zulu Parade

Dancers perform in the Krewe of Zulu Parade.   (Skip Bolen / EPA)

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Senior-Sations

Debbie Miller, left, Nidia Vodanovick and Julie Noto, dressed as Senior-Sations, a takeoff on the New Orleans Saints cheerleaders, walk through the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  (Bill Haber / Associated Press)

Mardi Gras celebration

The Zulu Parade moves through the central business district of New Orleans.   (Bill Haber / Associated Press)

French Quarter

Robert Detrinis and his wife Lenny Detrinis walk through the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans.   (Bill Haber / Associated Press)

Reveler

A reveler with the Mystic Stripers holds aloft a handful of beads for the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala.  (G.M. Andrews / Associated Press)

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Mardi Gras: Mobile, Ala.

Revelers with the Mystic Stripers toss trinkets to the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala. The pre-Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast, culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 21. Tourism leaders estimate more than a million visitors pour into the Mobile area each Mardi Gras season to watch the festivities.  (G.M. Andrews / Associated Press)

Actress Patricia Clarkson

Actress Patricia Clarkson talks to another rider on her float as she rides in the Muses Mardi Gras Parade through the streets of New Orleans.  (Bill Haber / Associated Press)

Mystic Striper

A reveler with the Mystic Stripers tosses trinkets to the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala. The pre-Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 21.  (G.M. Andrews / Associated Press)

Float

The Muses Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the streets of New Orleans.  (Bill Haber / Associated Press)

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