Of all the gifts thrown at the New Orleans parades, one of the newest and most unusual is a collection of South Asian family recipes.

Mardi Gras means parties and parades along the Alabama Gulf coast. That means it’s also prime time for people who like to catch the colorful beads and doubloons that are thrown from the parade floats.

New Orleans' efforts to reduce Mardi Gras waste and reuse beads and throws have been ongoing for decades and involve a complicated web of community groups, leaders and businesses. Carnival lasts just a few months each year, but collecting, sorting and reselling beads is a year-round endeavor.

Known for its spectacular parades, floats, marching bands, throws, and King cake, Mardi Gras is the biggest celebration in New Orleans.

Thousands of revelers in outlandish costumes will fill the streets of New Orleans as the city celebrates Mardi Gras Day

This year, paradegoers who recycle at stations along the route can be entered to win prizes from local businesses. Here's everything to know about bead recycling in the New Orleans metro.

Mardi Gras gives people the opportunity to celebrate before the Lenten season, where people become more disciplined and give up habits for 40 days.

There was never any question that Mardi Gras would go forward after the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans. But some revelers felt at least a hint of trepidation.

Following the Jan. 1 truck attack that killed 14 people in the heart of New Orleans, extra barricades have been placed along Mardi Gras parade routes and law enforcement officers can be seen at nearly every intersection of the French Quarter.

Zulu, 6:30 am; Rex, 9 am. In Jefferson Parish, Fat Tuesday parades are canceled for the first time in recent memory, other than during the COVID pandemic. The parish is working with the Krewe of Argus and the Krewe of Elks Jeffersonians truck parade to reschedule.