It may be August, but in New Orleans it’s always Mardi Gras! And FOP will get a peek into the inner workings of “The Greatest Free Show on Earth”. Here, floats from the city’s largest parades are designed, constructed and stored and we’ll get a glimpse of carnival as we network and visit with friends.

Private tours will be available where guides will give the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In the “float den” we’ll see where artists work year-round to build spectacular floats and props. In this large warehouse, floats will be lit up with fiber optic lighting.

We’ll have a live band and dancing in the Main Ballroom with great food and drink. For those that prefer a more relaxed feel for the night, the Grand Oaks Mansion is the place to be. The Mansion is a replica of an antebellum mansion with towering columns, large oak trees and a starlit sky. It gives a more laid-back, vintage Louisiana experience in the heart of downtown New Orleans. This evening is sure to be unique and memorable.