Throughout the year, the beautiful balconies in the French Quarter are noted for being a wonderful place to enjoy the history, atmosphere, and culture of the city as the sounds of jazz drift by after a fantastic meal. During Mardi Gras, many think of them as a place to get away from the crowd surges below. (Bourbon Street balconies during Mardi Gras are now sold to news media, large corporations, or long-term customers up to five years in advance.) From nip-slips to dresses not built for the elements, the beautiful celebrities you’re about to see have inadvertently become notorious flashers. For you or I, a wardrobe malfunction would leave us red-faced with embarrassment, but for these guys it’s just another day at the office. That being said, showing the world your breasts or your hoo-ha without meaning to has to be a little off-putting. How exactly can you style it out when your entire zipper snaps when you’re on stage in front of millions of people? It’s a little hard to look composed and glamorous when you’re clutching on to your dignity for dear life…

While there's nothing inherently wrong with flashing your boobs if that's your jam, there have been some consequences to the tradition: Women trying to enjoy Mardi Gras sans-flashing have to deal with the creepy drunk guys who now have a "legit" reason to say "Show us your tits." As my friend Melanie who's lived in New Orleans for almost 10 years told me, "Mardi Gras in New Orleans after dark can be a scary place for a woman — especially if she's alone." Two teenage boys are arrested for alleged misogynistic chanting aimed at referee Rebecca Welch during Birmingham City's match against Sheffield Wednesday French for the holiday known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is that special day for Christians to get all that "naughty" behavior out of their system before they head to church the very next day — likely hungover as hell — to mark Lent with Ash Wednesday. For those who observe Lent, Mardi Gras is a healthy way to exorcise to the devil inside. And one of the most infamous devilish traditions? Flashing for beads on Bourbon Street. But when — and how exactly — did that supposed tradition begin? Despite sweltering conditions, dancers pulled on body-covering fancy dress outfits to perform in front of 72,000 spectators Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” – also called Shrove Tuesday – referring to the last day of eating rich foods before Lent begins.While you wait for the parade, have that cotton candy and sit down on your chair or right on the ground with the rest of your family. Enjoy watching other throw frisbees and walk their dogs. Watch for the approaching parades, and see if you can catch doubloons from the celebrities.

Question: A friend of mine was at a parade on Canal Street and told me that his girlfriend got a coconut. Apparently, she had to bare her breasts to get one. Can you tell me the story behind that? We have received many letters regarding Mardi Gras, the Greatest Free Show on Earth. Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions. That is not Mardi Gras. It has absolutely nothing to do with the real Mardi Gras celebration. Unfortunately, sex makes more news, so every news camera visiting our beautiful city for Mardi Gras heads for the spring break crowd on Bourbon Street instead of giving adequate coverage to those who spend thousands of dollars and months of time planning this holiday season.

The Carnival season starts on January 6, the Christian feast of the Epiphany, and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

Footage posted by G1 showed groups of young men chasing their victims and even beating them, sometimes in front of crowds of people. I love being gay, though I don't do it very much now': Out, proud and extremely loud, actress MIRIAM MARGOLYES, 82, is renowned for telling it as she sees it. She talks love and death... as well as laying off JK RowlingNorthern Lights to shine across parts of the UK tonight: Is your area going to be illuminated as Aurora Borealis lights up the night sky?