N.O. Brings Curtain Down On Mardi Gras

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mardi Gras 2011 is over in New Orleans.

The annual free-for-all party ended at midnight. Police cars, followed by officers on foot and other officers on horseback, moved down Bourbon Street declaring Carnival is over. Behind them were street sweepers and trucks.

Thousands of revelers packed the 12 blocks of Bourbon Street earlier in the day. More flowed into the French Quarter as the parades ended.

The annual festival is held before the fasting and penitence of Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter.

Many Catholics will be flocking to church Wednesday to get their ashes and repent their sins.