U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity, carrying Herschel Abbott, Jr., who is Rex, King of Carnival 2011, and his court, prepares to dock on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Monday, March 7, 2011. Rex will reign over an all-day celebration on "Fat"
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity, carrying Herschel Abbott, Jr., who is Rex, King of Carnival 2011, and his court, prepares to dock on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Monday, March 7, 2011. Rex will reign over an all-day celebration on "Fat" Tuesday, March 8, when Mardi Gras season officially ends. Patrick Semansky, Associated Press

By Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — The party is still going and won't stop until midnight in New Orleans.

It's Mardi Gras. Bourbon Street is packed with revelers and more are lining up across the city for the parades that begin when the sun rises and go until the Christian season of Lent begins Wednesday.

This year, Carnival has seemed bigger and more brash than in recent years since Hurricane Katrina. Perhaps it's because Mardi Gras falls late this year during spring break.

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Weather was on the mind of revelers after rain was in the forecast for Mardi Gras afternoon and heavy storms canceled some parades over the weekend.

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