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AP PHOTOS: A look at Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans through the years

Mardi Gras revelers gather at Canal Street as Rex, King of Carnival, makes his way aboard his float through the crowd Feb. 26, 1941, in New Orleans La. An estimate of half a million people lined the streets for the festivities. (AP Photo,file)

Mardi Gras revelers gather at Canal Street as Rex, King of Carnival, makes his way aboard his float through the crowd Feb. 26, 1941, in New Orleans La. An estimate of half a million people lined the streets for the festivities. (AP Photo,file)

By CHEVEL JOHNSON and DARIO LOPEZ
 
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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Carnival season comes to a close Tuesday with thousands of people expected to crowd the streets of New Orleans and surrounding communities for the annual Mardi Gras celebration complete with parade floats, neighborhood street parties and jammed restaurants and bars in the old French Quarter.

The Rex Organization, founded in the 19th century, rolls every Fat Tuesday, with the role of Rex, King of Carnival, filled each year by a different local dignitary. The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, founded by Black laborers in the early 1900s, also rolls Tuesday. The major carnival clubs — also known as krewes — typically culminate their rides with a black-tie affair or hold such an event as a precursor to their trip through the city’s streets.

Actor Kevin Dillon, reigning as king of the Krewe of Bacchus, rolled Sunday amid muggy temperatures and an overcast sky. Previous kings include actors William Shatner, John Ritter and Billy Crystal.

Chilly temperatures and some strong winds were forecast for Tuesday’s rides — nothing that should stop the party or screaming throngs of costumed people clamoring for the coveted “throws,” large and small brightly colored plastic bead necklaces and other trinkets such as stuffed animals, plastic cups and hula hoops.

The King and Queen, in regal splendor, are seen at the Mardi Gras carnival's ball grand march Feb. 8, 1941. Her majesty, usually a debutante, wears an outfit that weighs up to 60lbs., with thousands of rhinestones that costs between $300 to $5,000 dollars. (AP Photo, file)

The King and Queen, in regal splendor, are seen at the Mardi Gras carnival’s ball grand march Feb. 8, 1941. Her majesty, usually a debutante, wears an outfit that weighs up to 60lbs., with thousands of rhinestones that costs between $300 to $5,000 dollars. (AP Photo, file)

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Mardi Gras revelers gather to cheer the King of the celebration during the parade along Canal Street in New Orleans La.,1945. The monarch will parade this year for the first time since 1941. (AP Photo/AJE,file)

Mardi Gras revelers gather to cheer the King of the celebration during the parade along Canal Street in New Orleans La.,1945. The monarch will parade this year for the first time since 1941. (AP Photo/AJE,file)

A general view of "Rex", king of the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, leads the way through thousands of revelers packed in the streets, March 6, 1946. The float is about to turn from St. Charles Avenue into Canal Street. (AP Photo,file)

A general view of “Rex”, king of the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, leads the way through thousands of revelers packed in the streets, March 6, 1946. The float is about to turn from St. Charles Avenue into Canal Street. (AP Photo,file)

General view of the court and the king and queen of the Kreme of Mystic at the Mardi Gras ball in new Orleans, La., 1948. (AP Photo, file)

General view of the court and the king and queen of the Kreme of Mystic at the Mardi Gras ball in new Orleans, La., 1948. (AP Photo, file)

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson, center, are escorted around the floor at the ball of Rex by two members of the organization in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb. 21, 1950. Guests applaud the royal British couple who were making their first appearance at a Mardi Gras ball. (AP Photo, file)

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson, center, are escorted around the floor at the ball of Rex by two members of the organization in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb. 21, 1950. Guests applaud the royal British couple who were making their first appearance at a Mardi Gras ball. (AP Photo, file)

A group of Mardi Gras revelers wear striped jail clothing as they parade the streets of New Orleans, La. Feb. 6, 1951. The group capitalized on the recent hearing held by the Kefauver Senate Crime Investigation committee where local officials and club owners refused to answer questions and consequently threatened with contempt proceedings. The Kefauver senate crime investigation, led by Democratic Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver, exposed and investigated organized crime. (AP Photo/Dave Tenenbaum, file)

A group of Mardi Gras revelers wear striped jail clothing as they parade the streets of New Orleans, La. Feb. 6, 1951. The group capitalized on the recent hearing held by the Kefauver Senate Crime Investigation committee where local officials and club owners refused to answer questions and consequently threatened with contempt proceedings. The Kefauver senate crime investigation, led by Democratic Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver, exposed and investigated organized crime. (AP Photo/Dave Tenenbaum, file)

The float carrying Rex, King of Carnival, squeezes through a massive crowd in New Orleans during the parade which highlights Mardi Gras season, Feb. 22, 1966. About 1 million of Rex's fans were reported on hand to wave at the passing monarch during a Mardi Gras that came only six months after Hurricane Betsy flooded much of New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell, file)

The float carrying Rex, King of Carnival, squeezes through a massive crowd in New Orleans during the parade which highlights Mardi Gras season, Feb. 22, 1966. About 1 million of Rex’s fans were reported on hand to wave at the passing monarch during a Mardi Gras that came only six months after Hurricane Betsy flooded much of New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell, file)

Carnival Chief Choctaw, Stanley L. Sutherland and Princess Pamela Peres wave their tomahawks as they pass under the Mississippi River bridge at New Orleans, Jan. 28, 1967 aboard the Navy Reserve training destroyer USS Hyman. Also getting into the waving act is Seaman Gerald Glatt of Chicago, Ill., who is on two weeks active duty in New Orleans. The Krewe of Choctaw is the first of eleven days of parades before Mardi Gras Day on February 7. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell, file)

Carnival Chief Choctaw, Stanley L. Sutherland and Princess Pamela Peres wave their tomahawks as they pass under the Mississippi River bridge at New Orleans, Jan. 28, 1967 aboard the Navy Reserve training destroyer USS Hyman. Also getting into the waving act is Seaman Gerald Glatt of Chicago, Ill., who is on two weeks active duty in New Orleans. The Krewe of Choctaw is the first of eleven days of parades before Mardi Gras Day on February 7. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell, file)

Mardi Gras is older than New Orleans, a European tradition that goes back directly or indirectly to such grand blowouts as the Roman Lupercalia, also the Saturnalia. Here, another Pier Sixer presided over by a temporary king is shown in New Orleans, March 15, 1972. (AP Photo, file)

Mardi Gras is older than New Orleans, a European tradition that goes back directly or indirectly to such grand blowouts as the Roman Lupercalia, also the Saturnalia. Here, another Pier Sixer presided over by a temporary king is shown in New Orleans, March 15, 1972. (AP Photo, file)

Marti and Rochelle Martin hold on to their flashy headgear as they cross Canal Street in New Orleans on a windy damp day, March 6, 1973. The Inca costumes, which aren't anything unusual on Mardi Gras were designed and made by the Martins for less than $40. (AP Photo, file)

Marti and Rochelle Martin hold on to their flashy headgear as they cross Canal Street in New Orleans on a windy damp day, March 6, 1973. The Inca costumes, which aren’t anything unusual on Mardi Gras were designed and made by the Martins for less than $40. (AP Photo, file)

With his injured leg propped up and both arms in a cast, American daredevil stunt motorcyclist and Mardi Gras Grand Marshal, Evel Knievel, manages a small wave as he rides in a carnival procession in New Orleans, Feb. 13, 1977. Knievel, who was injured recently in Chicago during a practice jump, was unable to throw trinkets and doubloons from his float because of his injuries. (AP Photo, file)

With his injured leg propped up and both arms in a cast, American daredevil stunt motorcyclist and Mardi Gras Grand Marshal, Evel Knievel, manages a small wave as he rides in a carnival procession in New Orleans, Feb. 13, 1977. Knievel, who was injured recently in Chicago during a practice jump, was unable to throw trinkets and doubloons from his float because of his injuries. (AP Photo, file)

A crowed gathers as floats make their way through Canal Street during the Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 23, 1982, New Orleans, La. (AP Photo Jack Thornell, file)

A crowed gathers as floats make their way through Canal Street during the Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 23, 1982, New Orleans, La. (AP Photo Jack Thornell, file)

Bacchus the XVII, also known as Kirk Douglas, tosses doubloons from a carnival float on Mar. 4, 1984 in New Orleans. The popular Bacchus parade was one of several Sunday. The celebrations end with Rex and other Mardi Gras extravaganzas on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, file)

Bacchus the XVII, also known as Kirk Douglas, tosses doubloons from a carnival float on Mar. 4, 1984 in New Orleans. The popular Bacchus parade was one of several Sunday. The celebrations end with Rex and other Mardi Gras extravaganzas on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, file)

In this two file image combo, William Shatner, left, joins the Mardi Gras celebration upon his arrival in New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 28, 1987. At right, actor John Ritter, King Bacchus XVIII, signals to start the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Feb. 9, 1987 during Mardi Gras festivities. (AP Photos/Skip Heine and Andrew Cohoon, files)

In this two file image combo, William Shatner, left, joins the Mardi Gras celebration upon his arrival in New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 28, 1987. At right, actor John Ritter, King Bacchus XVIII, signals to start the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Feb. 9, 1987 during Mardi Gras festivities. (AP Photos/Skip Heine and Andrew Cohoon, files)

Comedian Billy Crystal tosses doubloons from a float in the Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Feb. 6, 1989, during Mardi Gras celebrations. Thousands turned out to see Crystal as Bacchus, the God of Wine and Revelry despite slight mist and cold temperatures. (AP Photo/Mary Foster, file)

Comedian Billy Crystal tosses doubloons from a float in the Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Feb. 6, 1989, during Mardi Gras celebrations. Thousands turned out to see Crystal as Bacchus, the God of Wine and Revelry despite slight mist and cold temperatures. (AP Photo/Mary Foster, file)

The krewe of Zulu parade rolls down St. Charles Ave. and turns onto Canal St., Feb. 20, 1996, in New Orleans. The New Orleans Police estimate crowds to be over one million in the area at the end of the Mardi Gras season. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

The krewe of Zulu parade rolls down St. Charles Ave. and turns onto Canal St., Feb. 20, 1996, in New Orleans. The New Orleans Police estimate crowds to be over one million in the area at the end of the Mardi Gras season. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Actress Whoopi Goldberg signs autographs during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade, March 6, 2000, in New Orleans. Golberg is the celebrity monarch of the carnival krew, founded in 1993 by singer Harry Connick Jr. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, file)

Actress Whoopi Goldberg signs autographs during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade, March 6, 2000, in New Orleans. Golberg is the celebrity monarch of the carnival krew, founded in 1993 by singer Harry Connick Jr. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, file)

Honorary Grand Marshal Spike Lee stops his float at the start of the Zulu parade to say hello to Tuskogee Airman Judge Robert Decatur, from Titusville, Fla., as the parade starts on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, March 4, 2003. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Honorary Grand Marshal Spike Lee stops his float at the start of the Zulu parade to say hello to Tuskogee Airman Judge Robert Decatur, from Titusville, Fla., as the parade starts on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, March 4, 2003. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Zulu King Isaac Spencer Wheeler gets help with his head piece from Vincent Stripling left, at the start of the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Feb. 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Zulu King Isaac Spencer Wheeler gets help with his head piece from Vincent Stripling left, at the start of the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Feb. 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

The band plays during the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's traditional Jazz Funeral to remember those who perished in Hurricane Katrina and aftermath, Feb. 11, 2006, on Jackson Ave. in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain,file)

The band plays during the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s traditional Jazz Funeral to remember those who perished in Hurricane Katrina and aftermath, Feb. 11, 2006, on Jackson Ave. in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain,file)

Members of the Krewe of Dreux marching club parade past piles of debris in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Feb. 25, 2006. Keeping a tradition alive, the crew gathered for the 34th year in a row to parade through the hurricane-ravaged neighborhood. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster,file)

Members of the Krewe of Dreux marching club parade past piles of debris in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Feb. 25, 2006. Keeping a tradition alive, the crew gathered for the 34th year in a row to parade through the hurricane-ravaged neighborhood. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster,file)

Mardi Gras revelers sport hazmat suits in a spoof of epidemic scares, Feb. 25, 2020, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill, file)

Mardi Gras revelers sport hazmat suits in a spoof of epidemic scares, Feb. 25, 2020, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill, file)

In this 2 file image combo, at left, Bourbon Street is a sea of humanity on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. At right from the same angle, Bourbon Street, which is normally packed with revelers, is seen deserted during Mardi Gras in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. Coronavirus-related limits on access to Bourbon Street, shuttered bars and frigid weather all prevented what New Orleans usually craves at the end of Mardi Gras season — streets and businesses jam-packed with revelers. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza and Gerald Herbert, files)

In this 2 file image combo, at left, Bourbon Street is a sea of humanity on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. At right from the same angle, Bourbon Street, which is normally packed with revelers, is seen deserted during Mardi Gras in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. Coronavirus-related limits on access to Bourbon Street, shuttered bars and frigid weather all prevented what New Orleans usually craves at the end of Mardi Gras season — streets and businesses jam-packed with revelers. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza and Gerald Herbert, files)

Hannah Standiford holds hands with her friend Varia Degtiairenko, right, in a socially distanced fashion in the Bywater section of New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)

Hannah Standiford holds hands with her friend Varia Degtiairenko, right, in a socially distanced fashion in the Bywater section of New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)

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