New Orleans' Mardi Gras packs festive punch, economic boost
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Members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana February 9, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Members of the Krewe of Okeanos parade down St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana February 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Members of the Mardi Gras dance group "The Sirens" perform during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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A flambeau, or flame bearer, walks along the street as members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 9, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Feb 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Singer Kelly Clarkson (front, right) throws beads as she and members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 9, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Feb 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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From a security tower above the Mardi Gras crowds, NOPD officers watch the 400 and 500 blocks of Bourbon Street after four people were shot on Saturday, Feb 9, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Floats roll down Napoleon Ave. during the Krewe of Okeanos parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Members of the St. Augustine High School band march down St. Charles Avenue as the Krewe of Mid-City parades during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Carnival riders throw beads from a float during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Members of the Pussyfooters Marching Club parade along with the Krewe of Toath along St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Julie Keller (left) and Lauren Hammond (right), wearing unicorn masks, scream for beads as members of the Krewe of Mid-City parade down St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Actor G.W. Bailey reigns as King of Bacchus as Members of the Krewe of Bacchus parade down St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Feb 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Tudda Honore, 6, performs as a drum major with the Roots of Music marching band during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Addison Moran, 7, yells for beads and trinket from the shoulders of her father Paul Moran during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Rex, the King of Carnival rides in the Krewe of Rex as he arrives at Canal St. on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans. The Carnival season culminates on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013, with street revellry and the pageantry of the Rex and Zulu parades. -- PHOTO: AP
Members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana February 9, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Members of the Krewe of Okeanos parade down St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana February 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Members of the Mardi Gras dance group "The Sirens" perform during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
A flambeau, or flame bearer, walks along the street as members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 9, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Feb 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Singer Kelly Clarkson (front, right) throws beads as she and members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 9, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Feb 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
From a security tower above the Mardi Gras crowds, NOPD officers watch the 400 and 500 blocks of Bourbon Street after four people were shot on Saturday, Feb 9, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Floats roll down Napoleon Ave. during the Krewe of Okeanos parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Members of the St. Augustine High School band march down St. Charles Avenue as the Krewe of Mid-City parades during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Carnival riders throw beads from a float during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Members of the Pussyfooters Marching Club parade along with the Krewe of Toath along St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Julie Keller (left) and Lauren Hammond (right), wearing unicorn masks, scream for beads as members of the Krewe of Mid-City parade down St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Actor G.W. Bailey reigns as King of Bacchus as Members of the Krewe of Bacchus parade down St. Charles Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 10, 2013. Mardi Gras day will be celebrated on Feb 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Tudda Honore, 6, performs as a drum major with the Roots of Music marching band during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Addison Moran, 7, yells for beads and trinket from the shoulders of her father Paul Moran during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Rex, the King of Carnival rides in the Krewe of Rex as he arrives at Canal St. on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans. The Carnival season culminates on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013, with street revellry and the pageantry of the Rex and Zulu parades. -- PHOTO: AP
NEW ORLEANS (REUTERS) - Revellers in New Orleans celebrated Carnival and Mardi Gras with parades, giant floats and parties that were expected to attract about a million people to the city and its historic French Quarter and generate an estimated US$300 million (S$371.4 million).
Eight years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, local organizers of the celebrations predicted Carnival 2013 would be one of the best ever.
"People are just amazed by Carnival in New Orleans," said Mr Ed Muniz, the 72-year-old founder and captain of Krewe of Endymion, one of the largest parades during Mardi Gras, whose celebrity grand marshals have included Britney Spears and Dolly Parton.
Pop star Kelly Clarkson has the honour this year.
