In all the Super Bowl hype, don't lose sight of the fact that Mardi Gras events are becoming more frequent.
Friday night at 8 p.m., Les Fous du Carnaval -- the Fools of Carnival -- marches from Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny to Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
"About a 150 members, so it's small, so a lot of artsy things," said Mardi Gras Guide founder Arthur Hardy. "The big one is Chewbacchus Saturday night at seven, starting at Franklin and St. Claude and ending at Decatur and Conti."
The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus has grown over the years from a niche alternative Mardi Gras event to a veritable empire.
"3,000 members! This is a parade that should not be missed, but bring a sandwich and a chair because you're going to be there a long time," said Hardy.
Chewbacchus starts at 7 p.m. Saturday.
And Super Bowl weekend will have its own parade, a week from Saturday, the day before Super Bowl Sunday.
