Jaunted

The bitter but stalwart local. He's been to the last 25 years of Mardi Gras celebrations and this one was the worst yet -- but don't you go suggesting to him that he leave town for this annual tradition! In lean years, locals provide the grist for the celebratory mill, and don't forget, it's their krewes, not massive corporate sponsors, which plan the most vibrant, exciting events. Show respect for your bitter local! Or try not to annoy him.

The Parrothead. Once restricted to sections of south Florida, homo sapiens buffettinus seems to pop up to party anywhere there are drinks. We'll never forget having a mid-Atlantic idyll rudely interrupted by a group of these Hawaiian-shirted boom box-toters. If this Buffett fan tries to tell you "Pardi Gras" is real French, throw a margarita on 'em for us.

The teetotaler sightseer. Someone has to take the astonishing photos which come Ash Wednesday hit online-photo services all over the world, and we're not talking "Girls Gone Wild" here: From documenting a newly washed French Quarter street awaiting revelers to the detailing on a musician's beloved instrument, we're fascinated by these eyes on the ground, takin' it easy for all us sinners. Just have a little fun when you come home, okay?

The Val Kilmer. No, you might not be hallucinating (or have time-traveled to the early '90s); the onetime Batman rode in the Bacchus parade on Sunday and partied to the sweet sounds of Three Dog Night at the Bacchus Ball Sunday night. If you actually run into Mr. Kilmer this Mardi Gras you are required by law to send us photographic proof. We mean it. Inebriation is no excuse.

Related Stories:
· Mardi Gras Forecast: Cloudy With A Chance Of Deals [Jaunted]
· Are Mardi Gras Beads Worth Going "Girls Gone Wild"? [Jaunted]
· Post-Mardi Gras Travel: Saintly New Orleans [Jaunted]

[Photo of Mardi Gras '07: infrogmation]