Mardi Gras Exposed
The center of the Mardi Gras universe, New Orleans basks in revelry, as parades, parties and beads blanket the Big Easy in a big way.
Spectators attempt to catch beads from a Bourbon Street balcony during the parades.
For New Orleans locals, Mardi Gras is considered an event for the whole family.
The crowd goes wild for the "specialty beads" thrown from this colorful float.
Some people spend days putting together the perfect costume.
Large parade floats are towed through the streets of New Orleans behind farm tractors.
A ribbon dancer and street musicians perform during Mardi Gras.
Cheap beads known as "throws" cover nearly every inch of this tree.
A reveler does the "funky chicken" in the middle of Bourbon Street.
Many watch the parades from balconies on Bourbon Street.
A partygoer channels his inner animal with a wacky blue goat costume.
The Gnome King and Queen are kind enough to pose for a picture.