They were sometimes prohibited by law, and were quickly renewed whenever such restrictions were lifted or enforcement waned. Processions and wearing of masks in the streets on Mardi Gras took place. Excerpt | A Company Man - The Book An account from 1743 that the custom of Carnival balls was already established. A 1730 account by Marc-Antoine Caillot celebrating with music and dance, masking and costuming (including cross-dressing). The date of the first celebration of the festivities in New Orleans is unknown. Iberville, Bienville, and their men celebrated it as part of an observance of Catholic practice. The first record of Mardi Gras being celebrated in Louisiana was at the mouth of the Mississippi River in what is now lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on March 2, 1699. The Rex pageant, Mardi Gras Day, New Orleans, La., c. Mardi Gras day traditionally concludes with the "Meeting of the Courts" between Rex and Comus. Walking parades - most notably the Krewe du Vieux and Chewbacchus - also take place downtown in the Faubourg Marigny and French Quarter in the weekends preceding Mardi Gras day. Charles Avenue and Canal Street, on the upriver side of the French Quarter. While many tourists center their Carnival season activities on Bourbon Street, major parades originate in the Uptown and Mid-City districts and follow a route along St. Major krewes follow the same parade schedule and route each year. The most common throws are strings of colorful plastic beads, doubloons, decorated plastic "throw cups", Moon Pies, and small inexpensive toys. Float riders traditionally toss throws into the crowds. Several modern "super krewes" are well known for holding large parades and events, such as the Krewe of Endymion (which is best known for naming celebrities as grand marshals for their parades), the Krewe of Bacchus (similarly known for naming celebrities as their Kings), as well as the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club-a predominantly African American krewe. The earliest-established krewes were the Mistick Krewe of Comus, the earliest, Rex, the Knights of Momus and the Krewe of Proteus.
The parades in New Orleans are organized by social clubs known as krewes most follow the same parade schedule and route each year. In the final week, many events occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities, including parades and balls (some of them masquerade balls). The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the Mardi Gras season. Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting) many days have several large parades. Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Western Christian tradition).
The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in all of Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans.