Fri Feb 28 14:00:00 UTC 2025: **New Orleans Mardi Gras 2025: Enhanced Security Measures Amidst Festive Celebrations**

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mardi Gras 2025 is underway in New Orleans, with the city’s iconic Carnival celebrations attracting thousands of revelers. This year’s festivities, culminating on March 4th (Fat Tuesday), feature the usual array of parades, street parties, and balls, with krewes like the all-female Krewe of Muses famous for their unique, bedazzled shoe throws.

However, this year’s event comes with significantly heightened security measures. Following a January truck attack that resulted in 14 fatalities, Homeland Security has elevated Mardi Gras to its highest risk level. The city is deploying a large-scale security operation, mirroring the Super Bowl’s security protocols, including SWAT teams, armored vehicles, aerial surveillance, and undercover agents. Road closures and barricades will create a “serpentine” route to prevent vehicle attacks, while drones and coolers (previously used to conceal explosives) are prohibited in key areas. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Department emphasized the city’s commitment to balancing safety and the preservation of Mardi Gras’s traditional atmosphere.

Beyond the heightened security, the festivities maintain their vibrant character. Parades are rolling throughout the city and surrounding areas, showcasing elaborate floats and marching bands. The tradition of Mardi Gras Indians, a significant element of the Black Carnival experience, continues, along with the Cajun French “Courir de Mardi Gras” in southwest Louisiana. The Krewe of Muses parade is particularly anticipated, known for its coveted custom-made shoes. While the customary “throws” of plastic beads remain prevalent, some krewes are exploring environmentally conscious alternatives.

Despite the later-than-usual Mardi Gras date, bringing warmer weather, the possibility of rain on Fat Tuesday remains. This year’s celebrations are a blend of the historical and cultural traditions of Mardi Gras, interwoven with the necessary steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

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