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Mardi Gras returns to New Orleans

19 Feb 2007

The Mardi Gras is back in New Orleans and organisers are hopeful that 2007 will signal a return to the party's previous glory.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the event had been reduced in size, with last year's Mardi Gras running as an eight-day event.

This year the celebrations are set to return to a schedule similar to that in place before the disaster and attendances also look set to rise.

Around 700,000 people turned up in 2006, with hotels in the area already reporting better booking figures for 2007.

Mardi Gras is traditionally a very colourful and musical event and has been part of life in New Orleans since 1699.

The very first Mardi Gras is attributed to French settlers, who arrived in the region and wanted to celebrate a national holiday which was taking place at the time in France.

This year's event will see thousands of people, dozens of parades and a great deal of partying between 9 February and 20 February.

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New Orleans flights from £443
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