Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy was on hand Sunday for the zany trolley ride with the Phunny Phorty Phellows.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Kicking off the Mardi Gras season is a family tradition for the Wainrights, of New Orleans, from left, Nola, 6, and Gary II, 4, in the arms of dad Gary Wainright.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Anne and Justin Winston prepare to roll with the Phunny Phorty Phellows. This is the 21st year that the couple has taken part in the streetcar ride that welcomes Carnival.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Pat Jolly joins 'Boss' Phil Martin for the 12th Night ride of the Phunny Phorty Phellows.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Looking festively regal is Courtney Blitch as she prepares to board the St. Charles Avenue streetcar for the annual ride of the Phunny Phorty Phellows.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Phunny Phorty Phellows royals Errol and Peggy Scott Laborde prepare for the merriment of the annual trolley ride that kicks off the Carnival season in New Orleans.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- L.J. Goldstein and Rebecca Lemon prepare to take the ride of their lives with the Phunny Phorty Phellows.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Moved by the music, masker Kenneth Fanning dances among the members of the Phunny Phorty Phellows.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- The Storyville Stompers perform for ritual ride of the Phunny Phorty Phellows.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- The Storyville Stompers get members of the Phunny Phorty Phellows in the spirit during the annual kick-off of the Carnival season.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- Steve and Christine Serbay were part of a group that embraced a Hubig's Pie theme for the annual Phunny Phorty Phellows streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue.

Advocate photo by ROBERTA GROVE -- A reveler scores her first set of Mardi Gras beads of the season Sunday as the krewe of the Phunny Phorty Phellows departs for their ride down St. Charles Avenue.