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Mardi Gras on New Orleans' 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, costumes 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 dress in costumes, bring a meal and enjoy the festivities. We hope you enjoy this virtual trip to Mardi Gras in St. Tammany Parish.

Contents at a Glance

Mardi Gras is Enjoyed by Young and Old
North Shore VS South Shore
Parades and Schedules for St. Tammany Pa...
Carnival Time by Al Johnson
North Shore Mardi Gras
2006 Mardi Gras

Countdown to Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras: February 21, 2012

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.

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.

North Shore VS South Shore

Which would you rather attend?

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

getmoreinfo says:

Ha Ha I will be different, lets try south shore.

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

exotickitten731 says:

ahh i will definately go for covington and st tammany next year = ] ty for this lens , keep up the good work = ]

MysticTurtle says:

A little less wild for me, thanks.

CountrySunshine says:

I've attended New Orleans Mardi Gras a few times. While it was great, I think as I get older, I'd like to try out the North Shore one

Michey says:

Ge! it is hard to say... at list you you participate in both... which I dont, but you convinced me about North Shore

jenniferteacher says:

I'm from BR and always found The French Quarter a little too claustrophobic at Mardi Gras.

view all 10 comments

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

Mask as a Greek Goddess

Greek Goddess Adult Plus Sz

Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 06/02/2012)

Carnival Time by Al Johnson

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

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.

Mardi Gras on New Orleans' NorthShore

Mardi Gras in Covington and St. Tammany Parish

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Mardi Gras is a State of Mind

Countdown to Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is Enjoyed by Young and Old

Go to the Mardi Gras by Professor Longhair

North Shore VS South Shore

Which would you rather attend?

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

getmoreinfo says:

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

exotickitten731 says:

MysticTurtle says:

CountrySunshine says:

Michey says:

jenniferteacher says:

Parades and Schedules for St. Tammany Parish

Mask as a Greek Goddess

Carnival Time by Al Johnson

North Shore Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Supplies on Amazon

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Iko Iko by the Dixie Cups

Throw Me Somethin', Mister!

2006 Mardi Gras

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Mardi Gras on Etsy

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Costumes and Masking on Amazon

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