MARDI GRAS BEGINS

Less than two weeks after Christmas, New Orleans begins the reveling anew with its celebration of Twelfth Night. Jan. 6th marks the Feast of the Epiphany, when the Three Wise Men visited the Christ child. In New Orleans it also means the launch of Carnival season. And New Orleans observes it with the Joan of Arc parade that marches through the Quarter. Société Des Champs Elysée rolls down the Rampart - St. Claude Avenue streetcar line nearby. Meanwhile Uptown, the Phunny Phorty Phellows board the St. Charles streetcar for a parade all their own. This is followed by the Funky Uptown Krewe. Let's not forget that January 6 marks the first day of the king cake season - find your favorites here.