Afterward, a hand-full of Carnival devotees calling themselves the Phunny Phorty Phellos, throw a less aristocratic bash on what else but, a street car. For one to two months the city is nothing but marching bands and balls -literally, balls in every hotel, motel, and bar.
Parades run the gamut day and night, paid for by the members of private clubs called krewes.
Fat Tuesday, known world wide by its French name, Mardi Gras, is the last day of Carnival. Mardi Gras is recognized as an official holiday and is the only day that it is legal to wear masks, face paint, and costumes in the streets. The day after Mardi Gras is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Whenever you come to New Orleans you are certain to have a ball, Maybe not a Carnival ball, but a good time nevertheless. Guides can be found in any town .