It’s the pinnacle of carnival, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy said while it’s been an early carnival season it’s been a calm one for the most part in New Orleans because it doesn’t coincide with spring break.
“Crowds solid, very friendly. We have police from 18 other different jurisdictions helping out the undermanned, understaffed NOPD. So, there’s been a great police presence on the street which is good,” said Hardy.
Hardy said while the crowds appear to be smaller than those from pre-pandemic Mardi Gras, he doesn’t see it as a reflection of crime in the city, he simply believes it’s timing and economics.
“It’s so early in the season, people are still paying off their Christmas credit card bills, and it’s early in the year to travel. Next year Mardi Gras is on March 4th and of course with the Super Bowl in New Orleans on February 9th, it’s going to be quite a season next year,” said Hardy.
As for how Mardi Gras 2024 will be remembered, Hardy is quick to point out that while the Fat Lady hasn’t sung yet he believes it will be recalled as a regular one with back-to-normal parade routes.
“We had shortened routes a couple of years ago after COVID, but now things we’re back to normal, if you can call Mardi Gras ever normal? But this has been a regular carnival season, and we’ll take regular believe me,” said Hardy.
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