If you’re expecting to see Jessica Simpson signing at a King Cake bake off, think again!

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and it’s celebrated one day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of lent) which this year is today – February 24 2009.

Mardi Gras has long been the epicenter of the southern party scene, with thousands of people flooding into the French quarter of New Orleans to get their hands on some beads, some booze and some boobs.

Known for outrageous costumes and flamboyance, party goers to this famous festival can expect to see half naked revelers, drunken sailors and of course the odd celeb here and there including Harry Connick Jr. and Jim Belushi.