Mardi Gras floats with bead-tossing revelers cruised via New Orleans on Saturday as the town celebrated its record-tying eleventh Tremendous Bowl internet hosting gig with a stout safety presence after a New 12 months’s Day assault.
Reminders of the assault had been omnipresent across the “Large Simple” this week, the place vacationers paused to soak up a Bourbon Avenue memorial to the 14 killed and a regulation enforcement presence of astonishing proportions stood watch.
However the metropolis recognized for its good cheer saved the celebration rolling at a first-of-its form Tremendous Bowl parade forward of Sunday’s showdown between the reigning Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I prefer to see folks smile and have a superb time and let ’em know that hey, New Orleans is nonetheless in enterprise. We nonetheless in enterprise, child,” mentioned Buddy Laster, 64, decked out in gear from his New Orleans Saints.
Dozens of regulation enforcement officers lined the route from the French Quarter to the Central Enterprise District, and revelers threw beads at Homeland Safety brokers that stood atop an armored truck whereas police bikes wove previous the group.
Melissa Fuller, attending the parade along with her husband and two younger youngsters, mentioned seeing throngs of excited guests reminded her why she loves dwelling within the metropolis.
“We all know that’s sort of what makes our metropolis distinctive,” mentioned Fuller, 39, as her five-year-old daughter Charlotte held her arms aloft to catch bead necklaces from passing floats.
“It makes you actually recognize it if you see different folks seeing your metropolis for the primary time.”
‘WE’RE RESILIENT’
Alwyn Payadue, 35, who lives a couple of blocks from the parade route, mentioned the occasion that featured marching bands and even an look from the famed Budweiser Clydesdale horses was an vital alternative for the group.
“That was such a tragedy what occurred and it simply reveals how sturdy our metropolis is,” mentioned Payadue, who introduced his nephew to the parade. “We’re resilient via all of it.”
Vacationers mentioned they shelled out high greenback for a seat at Sunday’s recreation at the Superdome, the place the town just lately accomplished a $560 million renovation, and thrilled on the probability to soak up the town’s distinctive tradition.
Lifelong Eagles fan Lori Miele spent $22,000 on 4 tickets for the sport and ducked flying plastic beads alongside her husband alongside the bustling parade route.
“I used to be going to catch a pair beads and – whack! – I get smacked proper within the face,” mentioned Miele. “Nevertheless it’s a variety of enjoyable, it’s value it.”