While most of the Mardi Gras action in New Orleans was along the Rex and Zulu parade routes, the eastern edge of the French Quarter and the Marigny were packed Tuesday with people celebrating the end of Carnival.
The Society of St. Anne Walking Parade attracted hundred of people from across the area and from across the United States, all of whom were dressed to impress and to humor. Revelers costumed as children's literary character Madeleine, the Blue Man Group, "NICE" agents, and even Bob Ross and a happy little cloud.
We encountered a bushel of bananas near the edge of Bourbon Street near Esplanade. The members of that troupe hail from New Orleans, Minnesota, and Arizona. The bunch said they've been donning these costumes for Mardi Gras for several years now.
"It's amazing!" one banana said.
"It's incredible!" said another.
"It's appealing!" another said to the groans of his companions.
One of the bananas said they have at least one fan who waits to see them pass through the French Quarter every year.
"We're famous!" one banana said. "We have one little boy who, every year for eight years, comes up and hugs me every year because he know we're bananas! It's fabulous."
For others, it's a family affair.
Jenna and Kyle Estes pulled a walking float in the style of the Creole Queen riverboat down the route. That float serves also serves as a wagon for their three-year-old daughter Adeline.
"This is the third year we've done it," Jenna said. "My dad, (Adeline's) papa, makes her an elaborate float every year. We've done Lucky Dog. Last year, we did Roman candy. This year's theme is 'Rolling on the River: the riverboat Creole Queen and Tina Turner.'"
"(Adeline) always has a good time out here, rolling around and seeing people." Kyle added. "We love Mardi Gras day."
The Esteses said the atmosphere of Marigny Mardi Gras draws them back every year.
"The costumes, the revelry, and the joyous celebration of culture and music all come together," Jenna said. "It's the best place to be."
"Absolutely," Kyle concurred. "You can just walk around and find something new and you see something new every time you come out here."
John Berner joined his girlfriend, Cydra Hanson and another friend, Matt Smith, near the corner of Esplanade and Royal to watch the festivities. John and Cydra masqueraded as jellyfish, while Smith dressed as a Tennessee Volunteer.
"It's the only place I where I could be a jellyfish and they'd accept me," Berner said. "There's a murder of crows. There's wrestling. There's a bunch of stuff."
According to Berner, Marigny Mardi Gras and its diverse crowd is New Orleans in microcosm.
"There's only one city that can do this, and it's New Orleans, Louisiana," Berner said.