Mardi Gras 2006

The crowd looks up at Blanche Debris as she hosts the Bourbon Street Awards costume contest in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras celebrations in Hurricane ravaged New Orleans on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006.

Tres Donaldson throws beads during the Mardi Gras parade at St. Joseph School, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, in Shreveport, La.

The Zulu parade rolls down St. Charles Avenue as they approach Canal Street during Mardi Gras celebrations in Hurricane ravaged New Orleans on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006.

Some of the revelers on parade down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in New Orleans Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006. The city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina some six months ago. Top row from left: Susan McManus, Jeannette Meyer, Terry Zee. Bottom row from left: Billy Edwards, Bryan Pedeaux, and Robie Schnexyder. All are from New Orleans.

Zulu Thulani Nzimande of the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, screams aloud as members of the Zulu's prepare to march in the traditional Mardi Gras parade in the hurricane battered city of New Orleans Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006.

Louisiana native Britney Spears throws some beads from a French Quarter balcony in New Orleans on Monday Feb. 27, 2006. Crowds continued to flow into the French Quarter for Mardi Gras.

A reveler from the Infant Mystics tosses beads to the crowd Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, in downtown Mobile, Ala. The pre-Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast, culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 28.

Mardi Gras beads are thrown from a float to screaming parade goers during the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006. Mardi Gras, the first since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region, is in full swing.

New Orleans resident Rayshawn Harris, 6, yells for beads during Mardi Gras while being held up by his great aunt Mary Bettis, of New Orleans, during the Krewe Of Endymion parade in New Orleans Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006.

The Bacchagator float makes it's way along Napoleon Avenue during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006.

Mardi Gras' largest float, the Captain Eddie S.S. Endymion, makes it's way through the Uptown section of New Orleans, during the Krewe of Endymion's parade, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006. Endymion had to cancel it's usual Mid-City route because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Actor Elijah Wood throws Mardi Gras beads from a float during the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006. Mardi Gras, the first since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region, is in full swing.

Actor Michael Keaton throws some beads as he rides with the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in the Uptown area of New Orleans on Sunday Feb. 26, 2006. Keaton is this year's King of Bacchus. Sunday's parades were greeted by huge crowds and beautiful weather.

Country music star Willie Nelson throws Mardi Gras beads from a float during the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb 26, 2006.

Cat Ryan, top and Gene Miketinas, both of New Orleans, show off their face paint on St. Charles Ave. before the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb 26, 2006.

The crowd yells for beads on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006.

Dana Daigle top and her daughter Emily Daigle, 8, both from Harvey, La., enjoy the Toth Mardi Gras parade in the Uptown area of New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006.

Caleb LeBlanc, 4, being held by his grandmother, Mickey Lusco, smiles after catching a stuffed dog during the Krewe of Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006, in Houma La.

Robert Cadard leads members of the Krewe of Dreux marching club parade through the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006. Despite no parade permit, they celebrate Mardi Gras with their 34-year tradition of marching through the neighborhood that was devastated last year by Hurricane Katrina.

Mardi Gras beads are thrown from one of the 25 floats of the Muses Parade on St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006. The all female 668 member Muses Krewe was the largest of the three parades of the night to makes its way down historic St. Charles Ave.