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  • Almost 1m celebrate Mardi Gras

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Almost 1m celebrate Mardi Gras

Hundreds of thousands of people are due to wrap up some serious partying as Mardi Gras draws to a close in New Orleans.As the rest of the world celebrates Pancake Day, the southern US city is ending over two weeks of carnivals and parades.Carnival celebrations began on January 19 and the biggest event is on Shrove Tuesday - translated as Fat Tuesday in French - and the last opportunity for fun and feasting before 40 days of abstinence for Lent.New Orleans continues to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and although there were less people around for the event this time last year, a whopping 800,000 have so far turned out for this year's party.And there is plenty of opportunity for celeb-spotting as Kevin Costner, Belinda Carlisle and Hulk Hogan thrilled the locals and visitors thronging New Orleans.Pro wrestler and reality TV star Hogan, starred as the Greek god of wine in the Bacchus parade, the biggest and flashiest of the parades, with 28 floats and 36 marching bands.Previously, Bacchus has been played by Raymond Burr, Bob Hope, Dom DeLuise, Charlton Heston and William Shatner.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

ITN | February 5, 2008Watch more videos from ITN

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