Mardi Gras on the NorthShore

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Mardi Gras in Covington and St. Tammany Parish

If you enjoy Mardi Gras, but don't want to brave the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, then Carnival on the North Shore is the place for you and your family. There are plenty of parades, masking and throws and the pace is much slower and more family friendly than the Big Easy. Mardi Gras on the North Shore reminds one of times gone by, when several generations of a family could enjoy the festivities. We hope you enjoy this virtual trip to Mardi Gras in St. Tammany Parish.

Mardi Gras is a State of Mind

Mardi Gras is Enjoyed by Young and Old 

Although my husband was born in New Orleans, he has lived most of his adult life in Baton Rouge and Covington, but the fun of Mardi Gras runs through his veins. He has been attending carnival parades since he was a little boy. In fact, sometimes three generations of his family would go to the Mardi Gras. For the last 30 years or so, Mardi Gras Fever has been spreading north from New Orleans. Many towns on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain have been organizing parades and Krewes for years.

Go to the Mardi Gras by Professor Longhair 

Turn on your speakers and click on the video to hear, "Go to the Mardi Gras". It will help you get in the spirit while you read the lens.
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Parades on the North Shore are much quieter and more family oriented. It's like it was in the old days where families stake out their spot on the parade route and bring their tail-gating feasts and specially constructed Mardi Gras ladders for the kids. We park the van along the route the day before the Covington Lion's Club parade and have it stocked with supplies and Mardi Gras music. We usually mask, too. Now that we are more mature, this easy, more sedate form of Mardi Gras is just right. We enjoy the day, catch and throw many beads and trinkets and are home by 3:00 p.m. with plenty of loot to share with family and friends or put in the attic for next year.

MG02 Covington Cat   Mardi Gras family

North Shore VS South Shore 

Which would you rather attend?

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Give me the crush of crowds and night life of New Orleans

A North Shore Mardi Gras for the family sounds good to me

naturegirl7 says:

It's the Northshore for us. At our age, we like to enjoy the parades and catch some beads and be back home by 2:00 p.m.

 

Parades and Schedules for St. Tammany Parish 

St. Tammany Parish, on Lake Pontchartrain's North Shore has quite a few colorful and entertaining parades. All are family oriented so you should not run into the "girls gone wild" behavior that is rampant on the South Shore in New Orleans.

There are several pages that list Mardi Gras Parade Schedules for both New Orleans and St. Tammany Parish. Here are a couple:

Mardi Gras Parade Schedule
NOLA.com Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

St. Tammany Parish on Wiki 

St. Tammany Parish () is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The parish seat is Covington. As of 2000, the population was 191,268. In 2004, the population was estimated to have grown to 212,000, and after the landfall of Hurricane Katrina the following year, the population was estimated by St. Tammany Planners to be about 264,000. Most new residents are thought to have come from St. Bernard Parish. If correct, these figures make St. Tammany Parish the fastest-growing parish in the state, overtaking Livingston and Ascension parishes.

St. Tammany Parish is colloquially referred to as part of the "Northshore" or "North Shore" throughout metropolitan New Orleans, owing to its location on Lake Ponchartrain. It is the most affluent parish in the metro area, boasts a high-performing system of public schools, and is the most politically conservative parish in the New Orleans region.

The Moon Handbooks New Orleans: Including Cajun Country and the River Road, published in 2007, stated that people wanting to live in proximity to New Orleans without living in New Orleans will likely cause the population of St. Tammany Parish to increase. [http://books.google.com/books?id=3CDGQinECFgC&pg=PA229&lpg=PA229&dq=st+tammany+parish+suburb&source=web&ots=7lJchXZTFG&sig=AUmlh_0MGt24HT7LxnEiWUHiByI&hl=en]

Mask as a Greek Goddess 

Greek Goddess Adult Costume Plus Size

Amazon Price: $51.19 (as of 12/24/2009)Buy Now

Carnival Time by Al Johnson 

Another great Mardi Gras song that will make you want to dance.
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North Shore Mardi Gras 

One of the first events that we attended when we moved to Covington was Mardi Gras. Compared to New Orleans, the parade on Mardi Gras Day is a small affair, but it is enjoyed by young and old alike. You won't see the same debauchery that is rampant in the French Quarter, but as we age, the need for that kind of baudy fun decreases. We'd like to show you what Mardi Gras is like on the northshore. So sit back and enjoy a virtual trip (with pointers) to Mardi Gras in Covington, Louisiana on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

 

Planning is the key to enjoying Mardi Gras. First you need to stake out a good spot, or know someone who does. Each year we park the van in our hand picked spot on the parade route, the day before the parade.

We stock it with all the necessities, including decorations, music, beads to throw to the kids before the parade, folding chairs, food, drink and a porta potty. We usually sit on top of the van, so that we will be on eye level with most of the floats and trucks. With the decorations and the eye contact, most krewe members throw us plenty.

MG04 on Van (Small)

Mardi Gras Supplies on Amazon 

New Orleans

New Orleans "Mardis Gras" Flag - 3 foot by 5 foot Polyester (NEW)

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Feather Mask Mardi Gras

Feather Mask Mardi Gras

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Mardi Gras Jester Banner

Mardi Gras Jester Banner

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Louisiana Gator Gift Basket

Louisiana Gator Gift Basket

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Taste of the Big Easy Gift Box

Taste of the Big Easy Gift Box

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Taste of Louisiana Basket

Taste of Louisiana Basket

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Some Like it HOT! Spicy Gourmet Food Snack Chest - a Great Gift Basket For Him!

Some Like it HOT! Spicy Gourmet Food Snack Chest - a Great Gift Basket For Him!

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Some Like it HOT! Spicy Gourmet Food Snack Chest - a Great Gift Basket For Him!

Some Like it HOT! Spicy Gourmet Food Snack Chest - a Great Gift Basket For Him!

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Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler, Gold

Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler, Gold

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On lean years or when the parade is making a second pass, Al pulls out the secret weapon and we usually get pounded with beads. We had to modify it to stay current after the Janet Jackson Super Bowl costume malfunction.

MG04 Secret Weapon (Small)

Doggy Friends can Mask, too 

Covington and Mandeville both have Mardi Gras parades for Dogs. There are floats and a King and Queen, complete with costumes and throws.

Star Wars Medium Darth Vader Pet Costume

Amazon Price: $13.88 (as of 12/24/2009)Buy Now

Iko Iko by the Dixie Cups 

More classic Mardi Gras music for your listening enjoyment.
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Throw Me Somethin', Mister!

2006 Mardi Gras 

Post Katrina

Themes of the parade vary according to what has happened during the year. These photos were taken in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina pounded Louisiana and Mississippi.
 

MG06 Blue Tarp Costumes (Small) MG06 FEMA No Help (Small) MG06 Hippie Float (Small) MG06 FEMA Trailer (Small)

Mask as Athena 

Athena Adult Costume

Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 12/24/2009)Buy Now

Happier Times for Mardi Gras 2007 

Mardi Gras 2007 was a little more light-hearted than the previous year. I knighted Sir Al as my Champion and the parades rolled with much gaiety and laughter. We danced the Electric Slide and had a great time.
 

MG07 Knighted (Small)

MG07 Practicing before parade (Small) MG07 Hail to the King & Queen (Small)

King Knight & Maid Marion Costumes 

Adult Knight Costume - $ 94.95
This knight costume includes the knight costume tunic, the crown (made of cardboard) and the cape.



Maid Marion
Super Deluxe Maid Marian Costume - $ 94.95
Halloween Costumes for Women - This Adult Maid Marian Costume from The Designer Collection features the headpiece with jewel, top with back lace-up, sleeves, skirt and the corded belt. Great couples costume with your man dressed as Robin Hood!

Robin Hood Costume 


Adult Deluxe Sherwood Robin Hood Costume

Price: 48.41

Halloween Costumes for Men - This Delxue Sherwood Robin Hood Costume includes the shirt, hat, belt and the boot covers. Great couples costume with your lady dressed as Maid Marian!


Mask as a Pirate 

Cutthroat Pirate Plus Size Costume

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 12/24/2009)Buy Now

Electric Boogie 

The Electric Slide is one of our favorite dances. It's fun to do it between parades and very often others will join in and have fun dancing in the street.

Electric Slide - Neville Livingston

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curated content from YouTube

Costumes and Masking 

Many families mask and some of the cosumes are really creative. Mardi Gras is enjoyed by the old and the young and every age in between.
 

MG06 Ladies T-shirt front (Small) Mardi Gras 06 Dr. Seuss hat (Small) MG02 Bugs MG02 Old Lady Clown

Cockroach Costume 

Adult Cockroach Costume - $ 109.95
Scary Halloween Costumes - This funny and scary cockroach costume includes the cockroach costume body with legs and the headpiece with antenna and the shoe covers. Also available in child size 7-10 (There is also a child size version of this costume)

Mardi Gras on Etsy 

Costumes and Masking on Amazon 

Mardi Gras Fedora Costume Accessory

Mardi Gras Fedora Costume Accessory

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Mardi Gras Queen Adult Costume Adult (Large)

Mardi Gras Queen Adult Costume Adult (Large)

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Mardi Gras Star Bead Necklaces

Mardi Gras Star Bead Necklaces

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Mardi Gras Treasures: Costume Designs of the Golden Age by Henri Schindler

Mardi Gras Treasures: Costume Designs of the Golden Age by Henri Schindler

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Mardi Gras Miss Adult Costume Adult (Standard One-Size)

Mardi Gras Miss Adult Costume Adult (Standard One-Size)

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Mardi Gras Alligator Earrings

Mardi Gras Alligator Earrings

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Jazz Baby Black Child Costume

Jazz Baby Black Child Costume

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Mardi Gras Feather Domino Mask

Mardi Gras Feather Domino Mask

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Red/Gold Mask with Feathers

Red/Gold Mask with Feathers

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Mardi Gras Dog Costume - Mrs. Jester Dog Costume - Large

Mardi Gras Dog Costume - Mrs. Jester Dog Costume - Large

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Costumes For All Occasions TI53 Mask Mardi Gras Tall Feather

Costumes For All Occasions TI53 Mask Mardi Gras Tall Feather

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Mardi Gras Sequin Feather Mask

Mardi Gras Sequin Feather Mask

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Mardi Gras Cape

Mardi Gras Cape

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Mardi Gras Dog Costume - Mr. Jester Dog Costume - X-Large (XL)

Mardi Gras Dog Costume - Mr. Jester Dog Costume - X-Large (XL)

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Costumes For All Occasions TI54 Mask Mardi Gras Sequin Feather

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Mardi Gras Ponytail Headbopper

Mardi Gras Ponytail Headbopper

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Mardi Gras for the Pooch 

I simply must get one of these for Rio and/or Chance.

Zack & Zoey Mrs. Jester Costume Med

Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)Buy Now

Abita Springs Lawn Mower Parade 

Abita Springs is one of the smaller communities in St. Tammany Parish. This town is known for its pure spring waters and is where delicious Abita Beer is brewed. It also organizes a very unique and entertaining Mardi Gras Lawn Mower Parade... at Mardi Gras, almost anything goes. We entered one year and won a prize for our Krewe of Sheets "float".
 

King Sheet Queen Sheet Queen S & Judge
 
The Queen of Sheets accepts the prize for the float with the most creative theme.

Mardi Gras 2008 

In 2008, the Covington Parade on Mardi Gras day was back in full force. The day was beautiful and people were hopeful and relaxed. Families lined the parade route and set up specially designed Mardi Gras ladders with seats so that their children could sit up high to see the parade.

We took so many sequencial photos of the parade, that I have made them into a slide show. It's almost as good as being there, except, you can't catch the beads.

 

curated content from Flickr

Baby Duck Costume 

Duck 2-4T - $ 29.99
Costume includes a jumpsuit with foot covers and a hooded headpiece.

Tiny Tiger 

Tiny Tiger - $ 54.99
Costume includes a jumpsuit with a hooded headpiece and non skid booties.

Munchkin Child Costume 

Munchkin Mayor ChildMunchkin Mayor Child - $ 79.99
Costume includes a jacket with an attached vest, pants and a hat.

Mardi Gras on eBay 

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Mardi Gras in New Orleans 

If you enjoy the wild abandonment of a New Orleans Mardi Gras, then you'll enjoy this lens. Don't worry, it's G-rated and suitable for all audiences.

Mardi Gras Amazon MP3's 

Check out my favorite songs! I've handpicked these MP3s from Amazon. Take a listen. If you like, you can click to buy them on Amazon.

Mardi Gras on Zazzle 

Designs by naturegirl7

Star's Mardi Gras Card card Mardi Gras Mask 2 Card card Mardi Gras Beads Bag Mardi Gras King Rio Bag bag

Mardi Gras Masks on CafePress 

Mardi Gras Masks 1 Tote Bag

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Mardi Gras Masks 1 Rectangle Magnet (10 pack)

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Some Krewe members need an incentive to throw accurately, hence the target. The men on the floats are particularly fond of this so you can catch more beads when wearing it.

Mardi Gras Target T-Shirt shirt
Mardi Gras Target T-Shirt by naturegirl7

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About Naturegirl7 

Lensmaster naturegirl7 has been a member since April 22 2008, has rated 504 lenses, favorited 450, and has created 148 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "7-up Cake Recipes". See all my lenses

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My husband and I have always loved nature and the outdoors. We currently maintain a 9 acre private wildlife preserve.





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