Mardi Gras is right around the corner, and before you know it, you'll be planning your weekends around parades (and street closures). While we're filling up on King Cake and preparing to renew our Mardi Gras cup collection, why not travel back in time and scroll through these vintage photos of Mardi Gras through the ages. Funny how no matter how much time has passed, some things just never change.
Canal Street is packed with parade watchers in 1895.
Here's another shot of a parade heading down Canal taken in the early 1890s. Take note of the horse-drawn floats!
The Krewe of Comus' invitations in 1899 looked so whimsical and stunning!
Founded in 1856, Comus is the oldest continuous organization of New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities. While they haven’t paraded since the early 1990s, the organization is still intact.
Here's a historic shot of The Rex parade marching down Camp Street in the early 1900s.
Dressing up has always been a part of the Mardi Gras tradition, as these masked revelers in 1905 depict.
The crowds really turned out for this parade in 1907.
Another Rex photo, this time from 1906. Rows and rows of people!
The invitations to the balls were so ornate!
Founded in 1872, the Knights of Momus is the second oldest krewe in Mardi Gras, although they, too haven't rolled since 1991.
The King and Queen of Rex stand beside their pages, 1915.
This bird's eye view of a parade rolling down St. Charles in 1930 is insane. What a difference a baracade makes!
Even though this photo of friends is from 1930, it feels like it could have been taken yesterday. Some things never change.
What's your favorite part about Mardi Gras? What's your favorite parade? Let us know in the comments below!
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