Scenes from Mardi Gras in New Orleans

A reveler walked through the French Quarter as New Orleans held its Mardi Gras celebration on March 4. Fat Tuesday, the traditional celebration on the day before Ash Wednesday, is marked in New Orleans with parades and marches through many neighborhoods in the city.

Despite rain and cold in Tuesday’s forecast, revelers gathered along parade routes as the Carnival season in New Orleans heads to a crest with the unabashed celebration of Mardi Gras. The Zulu parade began on schedule, led by a New Orleans police vanguard on horseback that included Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Float riders in the Krewe of Thoth Parade threw beads to the people in New Orleans on Sunday. The city’s Mardi Gras celebration cullminates with Fat Tuesday.

The sixth annual Red Beans Parade rolled through the Marigny and ended in the Treme with The Treme Brass Band on Lundi Gras, Monday in New Orleans. Participants sported costumes made of various kinds of beans.

The Krewe of Proteus rolled uptown in New Orleans. The 20-float parade depicted the theme “Ancient Elements of Alchemy.” The identity of the oldest night parade’s monarch always remains secret. Throws include doubloons, and plush tridents and seahorses.

One of the floats in the Tucks Mardi Gras parade moved through the streets in New Orleans.

The Krewe of Orpheus rolled in uptown New Orleans, led by celebrity monarch Quentin Tarantino reigning over the superkrewe’s 32-float parade on Lundi Gras on Monday. The float theme for 2014 is “Orpheus: The Enchanted World.” Signature floats include the Trojan Horse, the Dolly Trolley and the Leviathan; flambeaux also will be featured. Throws include beads, cups and oversized doubloons. Parade ends at the Convention Center, where the Orpheuscapade commenced.

People threw beads at the Queen Kong float.

Sean Mason roamed the streets with his neck covered in Mardi Gras beads in New Orleans. The city’s Mardi Gras celebration cullminates with Fat Tuesday.

English actor Hugh Laurie looked out at the crowd.

A float rider held a can and a cigar while riding in the Mid City Parade New Orleans.

A marcher in the Krewe of Thoth parade danceed while greeting the crowd in New Orleans.

Ginger Colgan danced with marchers in the Krewe of Thoth parade in New Orleans.

Chelsea Stone yelled for bead throws during the Krewe of Tucks Parade.

A masked rider tossed beads while riding a float in the Tucks Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.

A group of people rode their motorized recliners in the Tucks Mardi Gras parade.

One of the floats in the Tucks Mardi Gras parade made its way through the streets in New Orleans.

The King of the Tucks Mardi Gras parade marched through the streets of New Orleans.

The Queen of the Tucks Mardi Gras parade marched through the streets of New Orleans.