It’s been two years since hurricane Katrina destroyed the great historical city of New Orleans, Louisiana. But this year’s Mardi Gras celebration brought back the energy and color to a city that has been working on rebuilding its party town reputation. Picture a black and white photo turned into color. With the snap of your fingers the bright ambiance comes to life.
People from all over the country and the world visited the Mardi Gras celebration, donning bright costumes and face painting. Traditional beads were thrown to anxious hands and trees were draped with colorful streamers and beads. Confetti was strewn amongst excited crowds. Smiles were contagious.
Perhaps one of the most memorable events was the great parade on February 5th down the famed Bourbon Street, with dancers, floats and entertainers represented from many countries throughout the globe. There were bands. There were beauty queens. There were funny costumes. Models, musicians, and celebrities attended. Photographers, journalists and news crews. The excitement was infectious.
Mardi Gras is of course a tradition dating back to colonial America, when the 1700’s French immigrants celebrated the beginning of Lent. The celebration lasts three weeks and has digressed from its original religious heritage into an all-out party time with parades, carnivals, entertainment, and sometimes nakedness. It seems that anything goes during Mardi Gras.
But the businesses and city of New Orleans thrive during this festive season, which always runs from mid-January to the first week in February every year. Last year’s mud-laden city was a deterrent for many people who normally visit the big partyville. This year’s Mardi Gras was a different story. Hotels were at nearly full occupancy. Restaurant vendors, businesses and the people of Louisiana rely on the economy of this three week period which generates multiple millions of dollars in income. Without it, the rebuilding process takes that much longer.
Everyone in New Orleans and around the country is happy to see the energy and enthusiasm bringing this great city back to life. Mardi Gras has become as much a part of American culture as baseball so it was a shame that the city had to undergo such extensive reconstruction from the hurricane’s devastation. Maybe 2008 is the mark of new beginnings for New Orleans.
