Photography by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
Recording by Thomas Walsh
Carnival in New Orleans is different for everybody. It officially starts on the Twelfth Night of Christmas and goes through Mardi Gras Day. Hundreds of people from different walks of life work year round to reach Fat Tuesday. Their efforts are unveiled in the streets of the Cresent City, and immerse all who want to join in.
The full essay featuring more photos and audio will be up just before the start of the 2016 Carnival Season on January 6. Thanks,
-rhr
To move through the essay scroll ---> or use the arrows.
Audio recording of the beginning of Krewe du Vieux
Rex
Monogram Hunters Big Chief Pie and Big Queen Denice
Zulu at Mardi Gras World on Twelfth Night.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu and wife Cheryl Landrieu with members of Rex and Zulu
Phunny Phorty Phellows on Twelfth Night.
Storyville Stompers rolling with the Phunny Phorty Phellows on Twelfth Night.
Phunny Phorty Phellows Ball on Twelfth Night.
King cake babies at Haydel's Bakery
Workers at Haydel's make King Cakes
Haydel's King Cakes
Members of Dames de Perlage at work
Krewe of Athena Ball
Krewe of Athena Ball
Raymond at work in the Rex den
Monogram Hunters 3rd Chief Dump
Katrina Brees working on her bike for Krewe Of Kolossos
Dana working on her 'tit Rex mini float.
Golden Blades Big Chief Derrick Hulin showing his appreciation of Wild Magnolias Big Chief Bo Dollis.
Monogram Hunters indian practice.
Feather room at Jefferson Variety
Jefferson Variety
Rex costumes
Beads on Big Chief Pie's suit
The final touches being put on Big Chief Pie's crown.
Muses working on shoes
Muse Lorrie Giza
Muse Weezie Porter
Muses
Muse Keerthi Mcintosh
Professor Carl Nivale
Krewe du Vieux
Panorama Brass Band
Krewe Delusion
Caesar Meadows working on his 'tit rex mini float.
rex den
The King Bobby Hjortsberg and Queen Allison Hjortsberg of Krewe of Feret get their parade costumes finalized at Southern Costume Company.
costumes for Krewe of Freret await the parade in the morning.
Krewe of Freret King Bobby Hjortsberg
Krewe of Freret
'tit Rex parade
'tit Rex parade
'tit Rex parade post presentation at the Always Lounge
Purple Lightning
Purple Lightning Queen
figures await installment on the Druids floats.
masks for Rex
Louis Roby at Thoth during bead loading
Muses loading their floats
Muses loading their floats
Dead Rock Stars
Flambeaux
Katrina Brees
Bearded Oysters at Muses
Muses
Krewe of the Rolling Elvi
Muses
Post Muses Clean up
Members of Choctaw
Bourbon Street
Members of Rex after a luncheon at Antoine's Restaurant.
Rex
Red Beans Parade
Irish Channel Corner Club awaiting their march in Thoth
Thoth
Big Chief Pie at work
Camping out over night for Endymion
Camping out over night for Endymion
The Dixie Cups at a pre-Endymion party.
Endymion
Monogram Hunters final practice before Fat Tuesday
Rex member awaiting the time to roll out on Fat Tuesday morning.
Monogram Hunters Big Chief Pie suiting up with help from his son on Fat Tuesday morning.
Monogram Hunters 2nd Chief Jeremy
Monogram Hunters 2nd Queen Christie
Monogram Hunters Big Queen Denice and Big Chief Pie.
Monogram Hunters
Fi Yi Yi Spy Boy Al
Fi Yi Yi Big Chief Victor Harris
Monogram Hunters Big Queen Denice
On Frenchmen St Fat Tuesday night
Frenchmen Street on Fat Tuesday night.
Ash Wednesday mass at Saint Joseph's Church.