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The city of New Orleans with it's deep rooted French traditions still celebrate Mardi Gras despite many attempts in the past to rid the city of the parades that takes place every year. The festivities are still every bit as popular as it was years ago and I believe that it is a fitting tradition for this beautiful city where spontaneity reigns. The parades are spread throughout popular routes in the city and families gather along these routes with their picnic baskets chairs and ladders. Some have used the same spot for years. Despite the cold many thousands gather to watch the floats go by dishing out presents to everyone around. The best of course is reserved for the day of Mardi Gras. That is also when the unofficial parade of St. Ann's takes place. The photos in this series were all taken at the St. Ann's parade.

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For some of the participants Mardi Gras is a year round event in the sense that they design there costumes, go to great lengths to find  the right "ingredients" and then spend many weeks putting their masterpieces together. These vary from movie characters to humor and imitating celebrities with humor and satire. Quite a show I might add. Amongst the participants are both the shy ones and the actors who does a very fine job acting. It seems like they all know each other. Thousands of people chatting and joking, shaking hands and getting hugged by a stranger was not uncommon.

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In a little over a month from now New Orleans will celebrate Mardi Gras with about two weeks of festivities prior to this day. Whether one cares much about this festival is not important but I sure would have liked to attend this year. I can't make it and for everyone else who can't make it either I will show some of the photos I took last year. This is just a preview of the spectacle that you will miss if you don't go. My main interest as far as photography goes is portraiture hence the title.

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