The good times are rolling along the Coast

Float moves down St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans

“Laissez les bons temps rouler.”

And down here on the Gulf Coast, mainly from Mobile to New Orleans, most everyone understands the French words that mean “Let the good times roll!”

And that’s what’s been happening during this two-three week period of the annual celebration of Mardi Gras which means Fat Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday falls 46 days before Easter with participants going to the extreme with food and celebrating.

Parade-goers climb to the top of their ladders awaiting throws from the floats

It all comes to and end at midnight Fat Tuesday when Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season which culminates at Easter.

Over the course of the three-week period, parades are held in the major cities and many of the smaller ones, with even, in some places, neighborhoods and schools celebrating with their own festivities.

Parade visitors show the rewards of their efforts

Thousands turn out for the annual parades with members of the various carnival krewes riding floats throwing all kinds of interesting items including candy, spears, cups, doubloons and even moon pies.

Mardi Gras is just a week away (Feb. 17).

Time is running out to “Let the Good Times Roll!”

Next post: Feb. 17, 2015