Mardi Gras Event Kicks off Carnival Season in NOLA Wednesday

As New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has pointed out several times, Mardi Gras is not canceled, the parades are canceled. And with that in mind, tomorrow in Louisiana is the official kick-off to Carnival season. Twelfth Night is the start of the Epiphany, and a day when festivities usually begin, and king cakes are available for all to enjoy. But with coronavirus still raging on, despite a vaccine that's a promising start to end the pandemic, Mardi Gras events have been seriously curtailed, and many have been canceled.

But one carnival krewe in New Orleans is letting the good times roll despite the pandemic. The Phunny Phorty Phellows will do their best to kick off the 2021 Mardi Gras season on Wednesday with their annual ceremonial streetcar ride down St Charles Avenue. According to NOLA.com "the rolling costume party will leave the Carrollton streetcar station on Wednesday at 7 p.m., rumble along the St. Charles Avenue route to Canal Street, then return. The ride lasts between 90 minutes and two hours."

The captain of the krewe, who is anonymous, is saying that of course precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of the riders at the beloved event. There are usually around 70-75 riders on the streetcar partying the night away, but this year that number has been reduced to 25, and those were given out on a first-come-first-served basis. The public will not be permitted to gather at the streetcar barn this year but will be able to view the ride along the route with social distancing. Music will once again be provided by the Storyville Stompers brass band.

The Societé Des Champs Elyseé also has a traditional Twelfth Night streetcar ride, but has chosen to cancel this year.