When you ask people what they love about the northshore, you often hear “It’s got all the things I love about New Orleans, only in a small town.” And that’s exactly why the Carnival celebrations on the northshore are enjoyed by both natives and newbies. You get all the Mardi Gras sights and sounds, the bands, the beads and the revelry without having to worry about big-city hassles like traffic and parking.

Although 2006 marks the 150th year of Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, northshore celebrations didn’t appear until the late 1890s. And while it was once a custom for northshore residents to travel south to experience Carnival, in recent years many New Orleanians have ventured “l’autre côte du lac” for the family-friendly parades.

The 2006 Mardi Gras season promises to be especially lively, as many southshore neighbors now call the northshore home because of Hurricane Katrina. Mayor Ben O. Morris of Slidell, one of the areas hardest hit by the storm, is looking forward to the upcoming Carnival season. “It is events and festivals like Mardi Gras that have made Slidell and St. Tammany Parish such a wonderful place to call home. These celebrations bring our community together and help lift our spirits, something that everyone needs right now.”

According to Tara Ingram-Hunter, vice president of the Krewe of Selene, the northshore’s largest Carnival organization will roll as scheduled on the evening of February 24 with the theme “Have No Fear.” Parade-goers can expect 23 floats and tons of throws from the more than 700 members of this all-female super-krewe. Because so many of Selene’s members suffered losses during Hurricane Katrina, the krewe’s leadership opted to purchase throws for everyone rather than having a traditional Mardi Gras ball. “It has been a challenging year for Selene,” says Ingram-Hunter, “but we are persistent and working diligently to put on a first-class parade.”

Downtown Covington and the surrounding area will come alive on February 18 at 6 p.m. as the Krewe of Olympia parades for the 41st year with more than 200 members and the theme “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season.”

Although many homes in and around Covington suffered extensive damage during Katrina, there are still plenty of old oak trees for Olympia’s long line of floats to navigate around as they roll through town. Olympia is perhaps best known as the northshore’s only “traditional” Carnival organization, with the identity of its royalty remaining a secret until the parade. Rusty Read from the Krewe of Olympia hopes this dedication to tradition will influence many new northshore residents to get involved with the krewe. “We know we’re going to have great crowds this year,” says Read, “but, more importantly, this is an opportunity for some of our new neighbors to celebrate with the spirit of New Orleans tradition that Carnival is known for.”

In Mandeville, the Krewe of Eve will celebrate its 20th anniversary on February 17 when 400 members parade with the theme “It’s All About Eve.” This popular all-female krewe is well known for its fabulous floats and exceedingly generous throws. Its members also support the community through involvement with charitable causes like Toys for Tots, the Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and D.A.R.E. “We are grateful for the support that the city of Mandeville and the northshore have given us for the past 20 years,” says Judy Frentz, publicity chair. “We’re excited to bring our 20th annual parade to the streets of Mandeville and invite all residents, and especially our newest northshore residents, to join us on the 17th.”

Also celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, the Krewe of Omega in Hammond will roll on February 23. Joyce Smith, the krewe’s captain, expects this to be a very special year for its members. “We just can’t wait to throw,” says Smith. “I’m really looking forward to the crowds. We have so many new faces here in Tangipahoa, and we want to make sure they have a great time with us.” Omega has a special tradition of a parish-wide trek on the day of the parade. Krewe members caravan alongside the railroad tracks and toast each mayor along the way, beginning in Kentwood and working their way south to Ponchatoula, stopping at schools and senior centers along the way to offer throws and good cheer.

The Original Krewe of Orpheus takes over the streets of Mandeville on February 24 with the theme “Orpheus Spurns Katrina.” Orpheus is 650-members strong and parades with an eye-popping assortment of more than 30 floats, traditional masked riders, a battle of the bands and a huge variety of throws, including the coveted Original Orpheus Pineloon. The pineloon is actually a painted pinecone with a doubloon attached to the bottom. According to legend, it has mystical powers and is thought to bring good fortune throughout the year to those displaying it in their homes or offices. “Hopefully, we can make sure all our local meteorologists are displaying pineloons when hurricane season rolls around again,” jokes John Lawrence, krewe captain. “Seriously, we’re looking forward to having a great parade and celebrating the fact that life is getting back to normal, finally. I think we’re going to see our largest crowds ever, and we hope everyone will come down to Mandeville to celebrate with us.”

Many northshore residents and visitors consider the annual Krewe of Tchefuncte boat parade a must-see on their Mardi Gras itinerary. This lively krewe has been floating down the Tchefuncte River for 35 years with decorated boat floats and costumed riders. Once the boats dock along Water Street in Madisonville, the real fun begins, as thousands of revelers crowd close for beads and other throws. According to Gail Perry, the krewe’s treasurer and one of the busiest women in the charming town, this year’s parade will be unusual because of Katrina, but they’re still expecting good crowds. “Everyone loves a good parade, and this is one of the best parades on the northshore. This year’s theme is ‘A Night At The Casinos,’ so hopefully, Lady Luck will hold out and we’ll have great weather and a record turnout.” The Krewe of Tchefuncte floats on February 26 at 2 p.m.

What is even more unusual than a floating Mardi Gras parade? Visit Abita Springs on February 18 at 11 a.m. and see for yourself. The Krewe of Push Mow, brainchild of the South’s most eccentric museum curator, John Preble, is a sight to behold. Floats include everything from riding mowers and golf carts to four-wheelers and flatbeds, all decorated to fit this year’s theme, “The World’s Greatest Mistakes.” “It was difficult to top last year’s theme, ‘What’s That Smell?’” admits Preble. “I really wanted to do that theme continuously. That could be the theme of the ages. It could have been refrigerators this year,” he quips. “All kidding aside, we’re expecting this to be a great year for Push Mow. It’s a great family event—people costume and get tons of beads. It wouldn’t surprise me if John Deere wanted to sponsor us next year. Really.”

And if floating boats and bead-bedecked lawnmowers aren’t enough, the annual Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws extends the Carnival season ’til March 5, the Sunday after Fat Tuesday, with a parade of the northshore’s cutest canines decked out in Mardi Gras finery. These “royal hairs” have costumes that would rival Rex himself, and strut their stuff along Lakeshore Drive in Mandeville. Throws include commemorative cups, beads, doubloons, fake dog droppings, and an assortment of stuffed animals—primarily cats!

So, whether you prefer a traditional Mardi Gras celebration, or something more unconventional, the northshore has something for everyone!