Pictures: Mardi Gras through the years

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mary Truenner, of Toronto, wears a Mardi Gras mask during the beginning of the carnival celebration in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

A member of the Krewe of Zulu costumed for the Krewe of Zulu Parade marches down Jackson Avenue early in the morning on 2012 Mardi Gras Day on February 21, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Iris parade winds its way through a large crowd during its march through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (C) plays trumpet before marching in the Krewe of Zulu Parade on 2012 Mardi Gras Day on February 21, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

A Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Proteus Parade on February 20, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PAT SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

Revelers watch over Bourbon Street in the French Quarter from a balcony during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

CHERYL GERBER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

People wave as a float passes during the Proteus parade, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, on Canal Street during Lundi Gras in New Orleans.

PATRICK SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

A member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club displays a gold coconut with the words "who dat" during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked Mardi Gras float rider tosses beads as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

One of the floats in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade makes its way through the streets of New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Mardi Gras reveler takes pictures in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

Cyndi Lauper going to her awaiting Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Orpheus Parade on February 20, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pete Fountain gives the thumbs-up as he prepares to lead his Half Fast Walking Club through the streets of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. This is the 50th year Fountain has led his group celebrating the all day street party know as Mardi Gras.

Caitlin Dineen, Orlando Sentinel

Performers at Universal Studios Orlando dance and play music Saturday during the theme park's annual Mardi Gras celebration.

PAT SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

Revelers photograph a woman exposing herself in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

SKIP BOLEN, GETTY IMAGES FOR MAXIM

Fans party and dance to Big Sam's Funky Nation as they parade and second line at Maxim's Mega Mansion at Buckner Mansion on February 15, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked Mardi Gras float rider tosses beads as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked official in the Mardi Gras Parad of Bacchus waves to the crowd as he starts his ride through the streets of New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked Mardi Gras float rider waves to the crowd after tossing beads during the Tucks parade as it marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

Caitlin Dineen, Orlando Sentinel

Mississippi blues artist Grady Champion does a sound check for his 4:30 performance at Universal Studios Florida Saturday.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (C) and the Zulu Rascals pose before marching in the Krewe of Zulu Parade on 2012 Mardi Gras Day on February 21, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

DAVID QUINN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nine-year-old Lena Kellogg from Salina, Kan. looks over a parade barrier in search of the lead Krewe of Zulu float on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans on Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.

PAT SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

A reveler kisses a homemade Vince Lombardi Trophy in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

A Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Proteus Parade on February 20, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Mardi Gras reveler throws beads from a balcony in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jorge Yero dressed as a New Orleans Saints cheerleader waits for the Mardi Gras parades to begin in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A float depicting a pirate ship winds its way through a large crowd during the Tucks parade in New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

Caitlin Dineen, Orlando Sentinel

Performers at Universal Studios Orlando dance and play music Saturday during the theme park's annual Mardi Gras celebration.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

Actor and comedian Will Ferrell tosses beads and doubloons to fans as he reigns as King of Bacchus in the 2012 Krewe of Bacchus Parade on February 19, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PATRICK SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

Revelers parade with musical instruments through the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A costumed Mardi Gras float rider tosses beads as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

CHERYL GERBER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, left, and Rex, King of Carnival, proclaim Mardi Gras a holiday during the Lundi Gras celebration on the riverfront in New Orleans on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked Mardi Gras float rider asks the crowd to shout louder for him to through the beads he is holding as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pete Fountain's Half Fast Walking Club parades through the streets of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. This is the 50th year Fountain has led his group celebrating the all day street party known as Mardi Gras.

PATRICK SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

A member of the Mondo Kayo Marching Club poses during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Queen of the Iris parade waves to the crowd during her ride through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

Actor and comedian Will Ferrell tosses beads and doubloons to fans as he reigns as King of Bacchus in the 2012 Krewe of Bacchus Parade on February 19, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PAT SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

Revelers beg for beads to be tossed from a balcony in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jackie Rung, left, and her husband Lee Rung wave to Pete Fountain as his Half Fast Walking Club marches through the streets of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. This is the 50th year Fountain has led his group celebrating the all day street party known as Mardi Gras.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Iris parade winds its way through a large crowd during its march through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

GENE SWEENEY JR., MCT

Fans were allowed in the stands during Media Day for a nominal charge, and this refugee from Mardi Gras was making sure she was being noticed during the Baltimore Ravens portion of Media Day at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

DAVID QUINN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mardi Gras watchers shout for souvenir throws during the Krewe of Zulu parade on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010.

PATRICK SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

A reveler hugs a New Orleans police officer in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked Mardi Gras float rider asks the crowd to shout louder for him to through the beads he is holding as the Tucks parade marches through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

A Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Proteus Parade on February 20, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

SKIP BOLEN, GETTY IMAGES FOR MAXIM

New Orleans trombone player Big Sam of Big Sam's Funky Nation plays to the partying crowds as they parade and second line at Maxim's Mega Mansion at Buckner Mansion on February 15, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PAT SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

Revelers walk along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

PATRICK SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

R. Hunter Pierson, Jr., dressed as His Majesty Rex, King of Carnival, rides on the king's float during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

DAVID QUINN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thousands of revellers pack Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras day or Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 in New Orleans. The day is celebrated as a last day of indulgence before the Lenten season of fasting begins on Wednesday, known as Ash Wednesday.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

One of the floats in the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade makes its way through the streets of New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

BILL HABER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked Mardi Gras float rider in the Iris parade yells to the crowd during her ride through the streets of New Orleans Saturday, Feb.13, 2010. This is the last full weekend of parades before Tuesday's all day celebration of Mardi Gras.

PATRICK SEMANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

Members of the Mondo Kayo Marching Club dance down St. Charles Avenue during Mardi Gras day on February 16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Mardi Gras celebration ends at midnight, when the Catholic Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.