Mardi Gras is Over - Here's What's Next

After a week-long blowout of parades and parties, Mardi Gras has officially come to an end. For some, today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in a 40-day period of fasting, abstinence, and thoughtful reflection. For others, it’s just a return to normal in New Orleans.

And for many, “normal in New Orleans” means looking forward to the next big blowout. Mardi Gras may be over, but the party never really stops here in the Big Easy, and Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Which means, of course, more parades and more parties, including:

Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club block party – Thursday, March 14 in Annunciation Square
Molly’s at the Market & Jim Monaghan’s parade – Friday, March 15 in the French Quarter (see the route here)
Parasol’s Block Party – Saturday, March 16 at 3rd and Constance
Tracey’s St. Paddy’s Day Party – Saturday, March 16 on Magazine St.
Irish Channel Parade – Saturday, March 16 (see the route)
St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Rd – Sunday, March 17 (see the route)
Downtown Irish Club Parade – Sunday, March 17 in the Bywater (see the route)

In addition to Saint Patrick’s Day, the city is also preparing for New Orleans Entrepreneur’s Week, a weeklong festival celebrating the enterprising and innovative spirit of New Orleans businesses and residents. Events will be held all over the city to showcase innovations and emerging trends in business and entrepreneurship. Headliners for this year’s event include:

Jim Clark – Netscape Communications Corporation & Silicon Graphics
Casey Gerald – Author of There Will Be No Miracles Here
Marcus Lemonis – Host of CNBC’s “The Profit”
Natalia Oberti Noguera – Pipeline Angels
K. Shelly Porges – The Billion Dollar Fund for Women

Admission to the festival and its associated events is free, but you do need to register.

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This month is also big for the local fashion industry, with New Orleans Fashion Week taking place from March 24-30. Fashion designers from across the Gulf Coast and all over the south will come to New Orleans to display their work. This year’s list of designers has not yet been released on their website.

Jenn Bentley is a writer and editor originally from Cadiz, Kentucky. Her writing has been featured in publications such as The Examiner, The High Tech Society, FansShare, Yahoo News, and others. When she’s not writing or editing, Jenn spends her time raising money for Extra Life and advocating for autism awareness.