The boisterous celebration of Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, began on Tuesday. Rowdy parade-goers from around the world flocked to New Orleans to party all day and night.
Despite pop culture's portrayal, Fat Tuesday isn't just about booze and plastic beads. The colorful festival is steeped in time-honored traditions; some of these customary rituals include eating pancakes, wearing colorful masks and electing a king of the Mardi Gras celebrations. It falls a day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and a 40-day period of abstinence for Christians.
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Mardi Gras is not only the last hurrah for those who observe the Lenten season, but also one of the few days of the year when absolutely anything goes. Despite the inclement weather in NOLA this year, the party continues to roll on throughout the evening.
Parade attendees try to catch beads thrown from floats on Sunday as the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade rolls down Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans.
Members of the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade throw beads from floats as they roll down Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans.
Spectators enjoy the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade.
Hopefuls try to catch beads and trinkets being thrown from floats during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.
Members of the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade throw beads from floats as their float rolls down Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans.
King of the Krewe of Rex, Jack Laborde, rides on his float down a largely empty St. Charles Avenue, during Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.
Members of the St. Augustine High Marching Band in the Krewe of Zulu parade play during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Revelers participate as the Krewe of Zulu parades down St. Charles Avenue Mardi Gras Day on March 4.
The Zulu parade began on schedule, led by a New Orleans police vanguard on horseback that included Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Mardi Gras bead are seen strewn on the wet street during Mardi Gras day.
A masked spectator walks through the French Quarter as New Orleans holds its city-wide Mardi Gras Celebration.
Members of the Krewe of Rex throw beads and trinkets from a float along an empty St. Charles Avenue during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Rain and unusually cold temperatures kept the normally massive and festive Mardi Gras crowds away.
Members of the Mondo Kayo Social Marching Club celebrate Mardi Gras day in the rain on March 4 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Members of the Krewe of Zulu parade, despite the rain in New Orleans.
Evan Lazarof, 5, sits on a child's ladder with his father Gary Lazarof, amongst ladders that would normally be filled with children during a rainy Fat Tuesday in New Orleans.
Members of Rex parade down St. Charles Avenue, despite the rain during Mardi Gras.
Revelers participate as the Krewe of Zulu parades down St. Charles Avenue on Fat Tuesday.