gallery Mardi Gras Parade | Fat Tuesday | masquerade mask

On the Tuesday before ash Wednesday, bead-draped Louisianians and their guests hit the streets for a day of fun and frivolity. And no two places celebrate it in exactly the same way.

In the New Orleans area, more than 60 parades roll during the two weeks before Fat Tuesday. Slidell and Madisonville celebrate with colorful boat parades, and Monroe-West Monroe, Lake Charles and Houma have lighted boat parades. Shreveport-Bossier City's and Lafayette's Mardi Gras traditions focus on family activities, and the Alexandria-Pineville are celebrates with a children's parade for the young and the young at heart.

For more information visit: www.mardigras.com