Mardi Gras 2012: Orpheus Parade, New Orleans [NSFW SLIDESHOW]

Celebrations for Mardi Gras, a.k.a. "Fat Tuesday," took off early Monday with the annual Orpheus Parade through New Orleans' French Quarter. The spectacle is filled with colorful costumes, imaginative floats and magical performances. Singer Cyndi Lauper, along with former Poison frontman Bret Michaels, presided over this year's parade as celebrity monarchs.

People celebrate on Bourbon Street as part of the Mardi Gras celebration in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A member of the Kolossus performance troupe rides a converted bicycle during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A man photographs Mardi Gras participants on Bourbon Street as part of celebrations in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

Members of the Sirens of New Orleans performance troupe dance in the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012. On Mardi Gras Day , also known as Fat Tuesday, people indulge in the practice of eating fatty foods on the last night before the first day of Lenten season (also known as Ash Wednesday).

Kamaya Walters of Atlanta, Georgia grabs beads as part of the Mardi Gras celebration in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A couple costumed in horse masks dance on Bourbon Street as part of the Mardi Gras celebration in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

The Treme Brass band leads the Red Beans and Rice Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A participant dressed as a baby doll dances to the Treme Brass band during the Red Beans and Rice Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

Members of the Muff-A-Lotta's performance troupe dance with pizza pans during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

Singer Cyndi Lauper throws beads to spectators during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

Members of the 610 Stompers performance troupe perform during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A drum major for the St. Augustine Marching 100, a local high school marching band, leads the band during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A member of the Music Box performance troupe leads a procession during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

Musicians play brass instruments during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

A horseman waves to spectators during the the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.

Flambeaus, or flame bearers, provide light for the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana February 20, 2012.