Mardi Gras Underway Despite Cold Weather

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Despite rain and cold in Tuesday's forecast, revelers are gathering along parade routes as the Carnival season in New Orleans heads to a crest with the unabashed celebration of Mardi Gras.

The Zulu parade began on schedule, led by a New Orleans police vanguard on horseback that included Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Later, the floats of king of Carnival Rex and hundreds of truck trailers decorated by family and social groups would wind down St. Charles Avenue.

Light rain was beginning to fall in the morning, and umbrellas sprouted. Sleet was expected to fall north and west of the city.

On the Uptown parade route, Carol LeBlanc and husband Hov LeBlanc of New Orleans strolled along St. Charles Avenue. The cold weather doesn't worry LeBlanc. She says she prepared and wore long-johns.

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