Hi Stephill!
We evacute New Orleans for hurricanes and Mardi Gras, so we'll be there too! This will be our 7th Mardi Gras in a row. The crowds are typically moderate to sometimes light. This year Mardi Gras is early, so the weather could be anything from sweatshirt weather to shorts, and a good chance you'll have used both by week's end, similar to weather in New Orleans. Last year on one day we were sweating in the morning, swimming at lunch, and heavily layered at night as a front came through. It's a great time of year to go. Look for all the purple, green and gold on Fat Tuesday!