LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) “I raise my glass to you and to all the wonderful people of Lafayette and all of Acadiana.  To all the visitors to our fair city, Welcome to Lafayette.”

This America by rail tour group made its way to the Hub City just to experience Mardi Gras.  The tour started in Chicago with 28 people from all over the Midwest.

“Florida, California, Portland.  We came by plane train or automobile into Chicago and then overnight into the City of New Orleans.”

These first-timers even went as far as naming a king and queen.  They’re husband and wife out of Michigan.

“I don’t usually do this kind of partying.  Its great.  Its different for me.”

“We’re loving it.  We went to the parade last night and had a great time.  We got a lot of beads for the grandkids.  We stayed warm all night.  It was a blast.”

And once the kings float and all his royal subjects floated by, that’s when the real party began.

Revelers on the roof tops and many more down below.

Age is just a number at the Kings Parade where there are beads, there are people. 

“I like this parade because they throw a lot more beads.”

It took the first time parade-goers a few tries to catch on.  Most of them say the entire Mardi Gras experience is just so exciting that’s its hard to pick one activity that stands out. 

For a woman from Minnesota, it’s the dancing that she’s amazed by.

“Everyone has such rhythm. I’m from Minnesota.  This is great but everybody got just this fabulous rhythm.”

“Let the celebration continue and may you have fun filled memories of this Mardi Gras Day.  A toast to the great City of Lafayette.”

Renee Allen, KLFY News 10.