InvadeNOLA

Using Facebook, Twitter, text message, and email, the InvadeNOLA team gathered all the best Mardi Gras memories from 2011 and paired them with some wonder photos from Rachel Ford, Ben Epstein, Zac Wilson, Han Nguyen, Lauren Kodroff, and Christy Lorio.

Best memory this year was Eros Parade in the Marigny - more specifically the man dressed like a Japanese porno monster. He wore a flesh colored body suit and his arms were covered in at least 10 dicks. Pretty effing gross, but equally awesome.

Justin

My favorite Mardi Gras memory was walking a circuitous route through Central City, with a cocktail stop at the ever spectacular Turning Point Lounge on Washington, in search of Box of Wine’s parade starting location. This perfect adventure away from St. Charles was immediately followed by inadvertently marching with Box of Wine until Euterpe, where we hopped across the neutral ground and inadvertently marched back up St. Charles with Chewbacchus. Pretty much the best Mardi Gras parading moments I’ve had yet.

Tara

Jamming with Questlove at the Maison on Saturday! Best time ever!

Angie

favorite mardi gras memory of 2011 is not being able to move more than 3 inches for over 4 hours!the crowds this year were crazy

@strictlytiff

My favorite memory from Mardi Gras this year was watching the smiling faces of my friends.  It didn’t matter who was around us or where we were; they were just happy. They were laughing and joking, and in general having a great time.  They were infectious, and they definitely brightened up the day of everyone we passed.  Laissez les bon temps roulez was definitely the life we lived.  There was no fighting over throws and no arguing about where we would go.  We just laughed the whole time and enjoyed the music.

I have a friend, Brooke, who is naturally full of life.  I always enjoy watching her dance and sing in the streets, and this year, I got to see her stand in a chair in the middle of Pat O’Brian’s and dance to a classic Michael Jackson song.  I was just so glad I had taken my camera out because I got some great action shots of her.  Who could ever be sad watching that?  Being able to take that all in, especially since I don’t get to see them often, made this Mardi Gras one of the best.

Valerie

My favorite memory is kind of mellow this year.  I got to ride in the Muses parade on a WWOZ float, and I put together a compilation CD of rockin’ songs that I felt represented the station and Carnival.  I had the best time watching people along the route partying to the songs I selected while throwing fun throws.  People were kind of weirded out though because everyone else on the float decided to dress in togas, but they didn’t tell me - so I showed up in hot pants and a silver light-up cowboy hat - the lone ranger.  

dj soul sister

Seeing Tiesto at the CAC, then laying in Coliseum Square park and listening to the sound of the city

Ashbash

Little girls ran up to my friend dressed like santa while he was smoking & drinking. then wanted to take pics w/ my crown on

@slowsouthstyle

My lips are sealed. What happens at Mardi Gras stays at Mardi Gras!

Azu