Mardi Gras 2013

WWL-TV has reported that the Krewe of Zeus has canceled its Lundi Gras parade.

Mardi Gras celebrations are off to a modest start on the Alabama coast.

The weather was nice in Mobile this weekend, but area businesses say the crowds were smaller than anticipated.

Downtown bar employee Dawn McAleer tells WALA-TV she hasn't seen business so slow in previous years of Mardi Gras.

McAleer thinks crowds may have been smaller this weekend because the Senior Bowl was held on Saturday at Mobile's Ladd Stadium.

Vendor Joshua Bear says people love Mardi Gras, but they also love football.

New Orleans' once most-hated-man gets on his bike!

Sal Palmisano was New Orleans' Enemy Number One when he came up with the brilliant business plan to boot drivers’ questionably-parked cars.

Today he is the pioneer of a whole new set of wheels: NOLA Pedicabs.

Because of the magnitude of special events surrounding Super Bowl and a full slate of parades associated with New Orleans' carnival season, state transportation officials say they are suspending lane closures on all bridges, freeways, expressways and arterial roadways near those activities.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says the suspension will be in place form 8 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13.

An executive with a liquor distributor that brands its products with a name often associated with Mardi Gras says its trademark was registered without any intention of infringing on the trademarks of a famous New Orleans Carnival organization.

Last week, The Rex Organization filed a federal lawsuit claiming that Rex Spirits Inc. is unlawfully combining the Rex name with Mardi Gras images to market products under the name "King REX Spirits."

The "baby dolls," an on-again, off-again Mardi Gras tradition of New Orleans' African-American community, are on again.

The troupes of women strutting and prancing in bonnets, garters and skimpy or short, ruffled dresses on Fat Tuesday also are spotlighted in a new book and museum exhibit that trace their history and rebirth.

When the Zulu krewe hits the streets on Mardi Gras — Feb. 12 — its marchers will include the Baby Doll Ladies, a troupe formed after Hurricane Katrina.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Krewe du Vieux — 6:30 p.m. | French Quarter
Krewe Delusion — Follows Krewe du Vieux | French Quarter

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Little Rascals — Noon | Metairie

Friday, January 25, 2013

Cork — 3:00 p.m. | French Quarter
Oshun — 6:00 p.m. | Uptown
Cleopatra — 6:30 p.m. | Uptown

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The annual Thibodaux Senior Citizens Mardi Gras Ball is set for Feb. 6 at the Thibodaux Civic Center.

The Daily Comet reports the event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m.

Admission is $5. Tickets are available at the Peltier Park Recreation Department.

More details are available by calling 985-446-7235.

The Krewe of Aphrodite's annual children's Carnival parade is scheduled for Jan. 19. in Houma.

The Courier reports the parade will begin at 11 a.m. Children can decorate their own floats, but motorized floats will not be permitted.

Besides the parade, there will be entertainment and introduction of the Aphrodite court.

Children 12 and younger can participate. Awards will be given for first, second and third place in a variety of categories. Admission is free.

David Michael Stewart and Dwan Williams will reign over the parade of the Krewe of Pepe on Feb. 10 in Franklinton.

The couple lives in the Mount Hermon community in Washington Parish.

The krewe's annual ball is set for Jan 19, president Jackie Tate tells The Daily News.

The parade of 12-15 floats in February will ride under the theme of "Forward Together."