Gallery: Mardi Gras celebration

Actress Mariska Hargitay rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A parade goer uses her cell phone to photograph the Mardi Gras parade Iris in New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. This is the last full weekend of the Carnival season, which culminates with the Rex parade Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade throws beads from her float as she rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade throws beads from her float as she rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Parade goers yell for throws as the Iris Mardi Gras parade rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A mask rider in the Iris Mardi Gras parade waves from the float as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Hands reach for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A young parade goer reaches for beads thrown from a float in the Mardi Gras Iris parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Musician Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

The Martin Luther King High School Band is braving the rain as it marches in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade rin New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Rachel Kohn poses for a photo in her clear raincoat she prepares to march in the Orpheus Mardi Gras paradein New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Rain greeted the start of the parade. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Actor Gary Sinise signs autographs before riding in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Entertainer Harry Connick, Jr. rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Connick is the founder of the parade. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Entertainer Harry Connick, Jr., right talks with actress Mariska Hargitay as they prepare to ride in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade as it rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Connick is the founder of the parade. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Flambeaux carries line up to march in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. The heavy torches were originally used to light the floats but now many krewes still keep the carries to keep the old-time tradition alive. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Actress Mariska Hargitay rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Actor Gary Sinse throws beads as he rides in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Actor Gary Sinise greets a fellow rider before the start of the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Dwight Henry, star of the Academy Award nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild, and cast member Lowell Landis throw beads in the Argus parade on Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 in Metairie, La. (Photo by Cheryl Gerber/Invision for Fox Searchlight Pictures/AP Images)

Dwight Henry, star of the Academy Award nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild, hands out beads in the Argus parade on Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 in Metairie, La. (Photo by Cheryl Gerber/Invision for Fox Searchlight Pictures/AP Images)

Lowell Landis, cast member of the Academy Award nominated picture Beasts of the Southern Wild, throws beads in the Argus parade on Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 in Metairie, La. (Photo by Cheryl Gerber/Invision for Fox Searchlight Pictures/AP Images)

Babbette Hines, left, and Carol Jean Dixon, both of New Orleans, pose with their costumes representing sad ladies of the night, inspired by Storyville photographer E.J. Bellocq, before the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Members of the Mardi Gras dance group "The Sirens" perform during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers yell for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Addison Moran, 7, yells for beads and trinket from the shoulders of her father Paul Moran during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers yell for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers gather and are photographed before the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Overcast skies and the threat of rain couldn't dampen the revelry of Mardi Gras as parades took to the streets, showering costumed merrymakers with trinkets of all kinds. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers gather for the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Overcast skies and the threat of rain couldn't dampen the revelry of Mardi Gras as parades took to the streets, showering costumed merrymakers with trinkets of all kinds. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers gather for the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Overcast skies and the threat of rain couldn't dampen the revelry of Mardi Gras as parades took to the streets, showering costumed merrymakers with trinkets of all kinds. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers gather for the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Overcast skies and the threat of rain couldn't dampen the revelry of Mardi Gras as parades took to the streets, showering costumed merrymakers with trinkets of all kinds. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers gather for the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. FEMA markings from Hurricane Katrina are still displayed on the wall. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers gather for the start of the Society of Saint Anne walking parade in the Bywater section of New Orleans during Mardi Gras day, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Overcast skies and the threat of rain couldn't dampen the revelry of Mardi Gras as parades took to the streets, showering costumed merrymakers with trinkets of all kinds. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The red-clad Mistresses of Joe Cain walk on rain-soaked downtown streets during the Joe Cain Procession Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 in Mobile, Ala. The procession, also called "the people's Mardi Gras parade" is held the Sunday immediately before Fat Tuesday during the Mardi Gras season in Mobile in honor of Joseph Stillwell Cain Jr. (1832-1904), who is credited for restarting Mardi Gras in Mobile following the Civil War. (AP Photo/Press-Register, Mike Brantley)

Chief Slacabamorinico rides through rain-soaked downtown streets during the Joe Cain Procession Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 in Mobile, Ala. The procession, also called "the people's Mardi Gras parade" is held the Sunday immediately before Fat Tuesday during the Mardi Gras season in Mobile in honor of Joseph Stillwell Cain Jr. (1832-1904), who is credited for restarting Mardi Gras in Mobile following the Civil War. (AP Photo/Press-Register, Mike Brantley)

Young spectators shout for beads and throws Sunday during the 10th Annaul Mardi Gras Dog Parade held at Sandestin Resort's Village at Baytowne Wharf in Destin, Fla. Feb. 10, 2013. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to see the well dressed canines and catch throws ranging from beads to dog biscuits in the annual parade, which is a fundraiser for the Alaqua Animal Refuge. (AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily, Devon Ravine)

Debbie Hannan sits with her dog, Monet, in a wagon at the start of the 10th Annaul Mardi Gras Dog Parade held Sunday Sandestin Resort's Village at Baytowne Wharf in Destin, Fla. Feb. 10, 2013. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to see the well dressed canines and catch throws ranging from beads to dog biscuits in the annual parade, which is a fundraiser for the Alaqua Animal Refuge. (AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily, Devon Ravine)

Carnival riders throw beads from a float during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Finnley Faurie, 5, catches beads from a float as she rides on her the shoulders of her father Rob Faurie during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Cardale Waterhouse gets a helping hand from an older band member as he marches with the Medard Nelson Charter School band during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Toilet paper hangs from trees as people throw beads from floats during the Krewe of Okeanos Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Max Hebert, of Harvey, La., calls out for throws during the Krewe of Okeanos Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Floats roll down Napoleon Ave. during the Krewe of Okeanos parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Tudda Honore, 6, performs as a drum major with the "Roots of Music" marching band during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Children scream for beads and trinkets during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Floats pass down Napoleon Ave. during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Floats pass down Napoleon Ave. during the Krewe of Mid-City Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A reveler shows off his mask during the Krewe of Okeanos parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Carnival beads get tangled in the utility lines during the Iris parade as it rolled through the streets of New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)