Floats like “Follow the Yellow Brick Road Home” reflected the notorious mess our city and state officials have gotten us into.

My favorite was the Krewe of Pan’s float featuring a picture of popular former governor Edwin Edwards under the caption, “Edwards now more than ever.” Edwards is now serving a prison sentence for racketeering. Others, like “Home, Home and deranged” paid tribute to Katrina’s psychological aftermath.

But all of it was in good fun, and a good time was had by all. I could barely push through busy the streets of Frenchmen and neither could the floats, taking more than 30 minutes to get from Elysian Fields to Esplanade Ave. 

Most of that time was spent at a complete standstill while krewe members danced and chatted with parade goers.

There is always a lot of inter-mingling among the small, hoarse drawn floats of the Krewe du Vieux and its spectators, which may be why it’s my favorite Mardi Gras parade.

For those of you wondering why Mardi Gras started early this year, you are in the right place! Actually, Mardi Gras starts 12 days after Christmas on “Twelth Night,” but doesn’t really get rolling until 2 weeks before Fat Tuesday.

For you, it means that from now on you could jet off to the Big Easy any weekend until mid-February and get a spicy taste of the least and most seen Carnival parades this year.

Here are my picks for a parade every weekend until Fat Tuesday.

WEEKEND 1Krewe du Vieux - February 3, 7 p.m. FrenchQuarter

This is an intimate, neighborhood parade that showcases New Orleaneans’ satirical and irreverent nature, as well as their flare for creative costuming. The only parade still traveling through the French Quarter and using non-mechanical floats, Krewe du Vieux may be a little risqué for the kids. Visit www.kreweduvieux.org for more information.
 

WEEKEND Shangri-La - February 10, 2 p.m. Uptown

This Asian inspired krewe which started out with all women members in 1972, this year’s parade will be lead by New Orleans’ burlesque star Chris Owens Visit http://www.kreweofshangrila.com/  for more information.

WEEKEND 3  Endymion - February 17, 4:30 p.m. Uptown

This huge super krewe, is a vast spectacle of music, costumes, and colors. American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will lead this years parade. Visit http://www.endymion.org/ for more information.

WEEKEND 4 Bacchus - February 18, 5:15 p.m. Uptown

Invented with the intention of allowing out-of-towners to join in the fun, it is fitting that this parade is one of the biggest and most extravagant of all of the parades. Actor James  Gandolfini leads this year’s parade. Visit http://www.kreweofbacchus.org/ for more information.
 

WEEKEND 4  (LUNDI GRAS) Proteus - February 19, 5:15 p.m. Uptown

This is the 2^nd oldest krewe of New Orleans Mardi Gras, Proteus still adheres to the old Carnival customs, like not revealing their monarch’s identity. Founded in 1882, this krewe hails Egyptian mythology.

WEEKEND 4 (FAT TUES) ZULU - February 20, 8 p.m. Uptown

This krewe is the bearer of one of the most desired throw, the Zulu coconut and Zulu spear. Riders in this parade wear black face paint and grass skirts. Begun in 1909, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is one of the oldest krwes in Mardi Gras. Visit http://www.kreweofzulu.com/ for more information.