Mardi Gras 2001 was another very special party and our 11th Carnival. Not as many people as MGY2K and that was a real plus. We arrived on the Thursday before Fat Tuesday to catch the debut of the Knights of Chaos. They used the old Comus Floats and it made for great spectacle.

We set a new personal record by attending 13 parades in 6 days. Despite my staying busy with video taping, Linda still managed to catch 4 cases of throws we shipped home. Beads, cups, doubloons, stuffed animals and lots more. The weather was threatening on Saturday and Sunday, but held off until after the parades. My favorite floats this year were the Bacchus floats depicting sea creatures and Orpheus takes the prize for most generous throws. The Hermes floats seemed much more colorful this year and Le Krewe D'etat and Tucks were the most fun.

A highlight of our trip was our first attendance of the two children's parades held on Friday morning. in the French Quarter.

The Mardi Card gives times and routes for the Krewe of St. Louis and McDonough No. 15 Gumbo Parade.

Next year I will finally get Linda up in time to make the greasing of the poles at the Royal Sonesta. at 10 a.m.

Next year, Mardi Gras Day falls on February 12th. We could be wearing our Elvis scarves for real. Still, I would rather be no place else than New Orleans on Fat Tuesday!

If you should wonder what we do with all those throws? This is our living room...

The following pictures were submitted by
Kitty Jensen of Mardi Gras Lite
(the week before the final weekend of Carnival)
Less crowds, and still lots to do.