New Orleans expects large college contingent as Mardi Gras, spring break overlap

 Alexa Von Staden and her fiance had just one thought when it came to spring break this year: Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

"We figured it was now or never," said Von Staden, who recently completed her master's at the University of Florida. "Because Mardi Gras is so late this year that it matches up with spring break. Who knows when that will happen again?"

Mardi Gras is March 8. The next time it will be this late is in 2038, when it falls on March 9.

New Orleans tourism officials, who have begun an advertising campaign to attract younger visitors, believe the happy convergence will give them a boost over Mardi Gras 2010, which was the biggest since hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.

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