It's big spending in the Big Easy
Fox Business Network's Lauren Simonetti breaks down the business of Mardi Gras
"Fat Tuesday” marks the final day of Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans, though Carnival revelry has been in full swing in the Big Easy for weeks.
Merrymakers from near and far have poured into the city’s historic streets since January 6 for this year’s celebrations, many dressing in costumes, wearing masks or donning the iconic strands of purple, green and gold beads. An estimated 1.4 million people fill the coastal city each year for Mardi Gras to party and celebrate before Ash Wednesday arrives — and with it, 40 days of Lent.
The Krewe of Thoth rolls on the Uptown route in New Orleans Sunday, March 3 to the theme "Thoth Salutes the Greats." Founded in 1947, the Krewe of Thoth is named for the Egyptian Patron of Wisdom and Inventor of Science, Art and Letters. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)
The Krewe of Bacchus parade takes place on the traditional Uptown parade route with the theme 'Starring Louisiana,' reflecting movies and television shows filmed in Louisiana, on March 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
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The 2019 Krewe of Orpheus parade takes to the streets on March 4 in New Orleans. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
In this Friday, Feb. 22 image, a woman dressed as a mermaid pulls a wagon containing an inflatable seashell full of beads in the Krewe of Cork parade in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stacey Plaisance)
Amid the wild outfits, “go” cups and flying trinkets, two krewes – or social clubs – have made bold statements on the parade route this year: One social club has defended their historic use of black makeup as blackface controversies continue to rock headlines, while another group of loyal New Orleans Saints has made waves for mocking the NFL over the now-infamous “no-call” during the Jan. 20 NFC Championship game.
Reps for the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club have publically spoken out in defense of their tradition of wearing black makeup during Mardi Gras parades, even as blackface scandals involving Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and attorney general Mark Herring have sparked heated debate.
The krewe argued that their attire bears no resemblance to those worn by “blackface” minstrel performers at the turn of the century, and that their costumes are designed to honor garments worn by South African Zulu warriors.
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A Feb. 13, 2018 image of the Zulu Tramps marching in the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's 2018 Zulu Parade in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images))
“Those who incorrectly compare our use of black makeup to ‘blackface’ minstrelsy can first look to our name to dispel that notion,” Zulu spokesman Clarence Becknell told WGNO before Mardi Gras. “Unlike minstrelsy, which was designed to ridicule and mock black people, the founders of our Social Aid & Pleasure Club chose the name ‘Zulu’ to honor their African ancestry and the continent’s most fierce warriors.”
The Zulu krewe continued to parade in their traditional costumes and black makeup this year, as evidenced in videos shared to social media.
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Meanwhile, Krewe d'Etat made the most of their Mardi Gras spotlight to troll the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, dressed as “Robbin’ Refs” on their float named “Willful Blindness.” Their stunt referenced the divisive “no-call” in the NFC Championship game between the Saints and the Los Angeles Ram that some fans argue unfairly locked NOLA's team out of Super Bowl LIII.
Footage of their fun has since gone viral on Twitter, racking up hundreds of thousands of views.
The Mardi Gras party is expected to continue through midnight, when police on horseback ride down Bourbon Street to ceremonially “clear” the street — a symbol meant to mark the end of the Carnival season. Wednesday will then mark the beginning of Lent, which for many Christians is observed as a period of fasting and reflection ahead of Easter.
Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire participates in the second annual Krewe du Kanaval parade on Feb. 22 in New Orleans. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Revelers reach for beads and trinkets as the Krewe of Thoth rolls on the Uptown route in New Orleans on Sunday. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)
Musicians celebrate the second annual Krewe du Kanaval parade in New Orleans on Feb. 22. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
The complete parade schedule for the final day of Mardi Gras celebrations can be viewed in full at neworleans.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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