Mardi Gras returns to New Orleans: ‘It’s a wonderful feeling’

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, people took to the streets of New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. Last year, parades were canceled, bars were closed and Bourbon Street was nearly shut down. Tuesday’s festivities include back-to-back parades across the city and marches through the French Quarter and beyond.

“It’s a wonderful feeling. We have been cooped up, quarantined, trying to be responsible for so long, and we’re still being responsible,” Nikia Dillard, who attended Tuesday’s Mardi Gras festivities, said.

2022’s Mardi Gras festivities don’t look exactly the same as they did before COVID-19 hit. There is still a mask mandate in effect, but it’s only in effect for indoor venues. In addition, parade routes are shorter than usual because there are fewer police officers, medics and other first responders to handle the crowds.

The first responder shortage comes despite New Orleans officials not expecting what they’re used to in terms of travelers visiting for Mardi Gras. A spokesperson for New Orleans & Co., the official sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry, said hotel capacity in the city is expected to be at about 66%. That’s down 19.5% from 2020.