Mardi Gras gives people the opportunity to celebrate before the Lenten season, where people become more disciplined and give up habits for 40 days.

The promise from authorities for more security threatened to conflict with the city’s anything-goes sensibilities, and some changes were evident.

There will be plenty of parades in New Orleans leading up to Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. on March 4. Here's what you need to know.