New Orleans Mardi Gras 2006 is rolling. Today is the Friday before Mardi Gras and New Orleans is in a jubilant step toward Mardi Gras Day. You can almost see the second line approach to walking in the steps of locals and tourist alike. Local radio and TV stations are covering the incoming kings and parade preparations for some of the city's super krewes.

All and all this has been a quiet Mardi Gras season and very little is different from the norm. There are a few changes in who and when krewes are rolling in this years Mardi Gras parade schedule. We have lost a couple of Krewes for insurance and membership reasons. We have also notices fewer floats in some parades. This is because fewer riders were available to fill out the parade floats.

The floats are great this year. Many creative themes and Katrina is definitely part of the focus of many parades. New Orleans and area residents were struck by a life changing blow, yet still find the strength and courage in themselves to throw the world's biggest party.

My main suggestion is if you are not in New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2006 already, you better get here quick because Mardi Gras waits for no one.