| It is hard to know which one is taking the stage at the | | | | Instead of donning Mardi Gras costumes, the players |
| moment. The Sunday win of the Super Bowl for the | | | | wore their jerseys. |
| New Orleans Saints - their first NFL championship win | | | | Mardi Gras is typically a time when many out of state |
| in the history of the 43 year old team - means more | | | | arrivals show up to enjoy the celebration. The |
| than words can express to players and fans alike. The | | | | bookings at hotels and motels are sold out in advance. |
| streets are alive with the celebration of the win and | | | | This year is no exception with the double celebration |
| Mardi Gras. The win coinciding with Mardi Gras just | | | | that is taking place. Bourbon Street is hopping and as |
| makes the festivities a little wilder. | | | | the sun sets on the city, the parties get going. The |
| Floats in the parade in New Orleans included the | | | | excitement in the air is like electricity snapping and |
| players and their coach as well as the owner of the | | | | popping. |
| team, Tom Benson. Cheered on by literally tens of | | | | All manner of people dressed in Mardi Gras costumes |
| thousands of fans, the team expressed their | | | | are hitting the streets, beads are flying and "Throw me |
| appreciation to the residents of the city. The win was | | | | something, Mister" is like an echo. The aroma of Cajun |
| for them. Mardi Gras is in full swing and the word is | | | | food tantalizes the senses and bakeries are swamped |
| many people may not return to work for a week at | | | | with the demand for king cakes. Pots are boiling and |
| the least. The celebration is taking precedence over | | | | crawfish are abundant. The food, fun and festivities |
| everything else. | | | | are being enjoyed by more people this year than ever |
| The typical floats that normally are present in the | | | | before. |
| parade as it makes it way through downtown New | | | | The sense of excitement present in this Louisiana city |
| Orleans were joined by 10 that were donated for the | | | | is something to behold. If you enjoy people watching, |
| players to ride on. Starting at the Super Dome where | | | | stroll the streets and see the celebration first hand. |
| white, black and gold confetti heralded the start of the | | | | The usual Mardi Gras celebration in itself is a |
| procession, the floats continued to Gallier Hall so the | | | | spectacular event. Turn it into a double celebration and |
| mayor, governor and senator could congratulate the | | | | the proportions are out of the realm of belief. |
| players. | | | | The sounds of Mardi Gras - music, celebration and |
| The crowd went crazy when Drew Brees posed a | | | | excitement - are joined this year with the mingling of |
| question, "How's the 'Who Dat' nation feel tonight?" | | | | the traditional and the new. 'Throw me something, |
| Voted MVP of the Super Bowl, the Saint's | | | | Mister' and 'Who dat?' are creating a certainty - there |
| quarterback woke up the morning after the Super | | | | is a party in New Orleans. |
| Bowl thinking he must have dreamed the whole thing. | | | | |