New Orleans' big party has distinct Saints flavor
 

NEW ORLEANS — Rex, the king of Carnival, who represents the pomp of Mardi Gras faux royalty, had a bit more boogie on Tuesday.

New Orleans Saints' pennants were displayed on the king's float and others throughout the parade.

The day's first parade, Zulu, however went them one better. The krewe had actual Saints players on one of their floats, tossing beads and little foam footballs.

The team's Super Bowl victory, after only nine winning seasons in 43 years, fed into the euphoria of Mardi Gras, giving New Orleans' annual party a definite "Who Dat" flavor.

In addition to a victory parade for the Saints a week earlier, quarterback Drew Brees, coach Sean Payton and Saints owner Tom Benson all rode in parades as Carnival monarchs.

"It's really something special," said Jerry Winston, 39. "The Saints. Mardi Gras. Everyone is feeling fine now."

The traditional cry of "Throw me something, Mister," was frequently drowned out by the fans' rallying cry of "Who Dat."

Along the parade route several people held aloft homemade versions of the Lombardi Trophy, which is given to the Super Bowl champion. In the French Quarter, two men were costumed as giant, silver trophies.

Melissa Anderson, an Aurora, Colo., native who moved to the New Orleans suburb of Lacombe, La., after Hurricane Katrina, said the Super Bowl win has added something special this year.

"We saw Sean Payton walking around with the Lombardi trophy and everybody wanted to touch it," she said. "It was just great fun."

New Orleans' big party has distinct Saints flavor | Terrebonne Parish | HoumaToday.com