New Orleans' jubilation is put on parade

 In a city known for parades, New Orleans threw a monster one for the Super Bowl champion Saints on Tuesday, complete with Mardi Gras floats, brass bands, beads and tens of thousands of boisterous fans.

Saints players, coaches and staff rode colorful, light-pulsing floats for the 3.7-mile route through downtown.

The parade started at the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints' home stadium, and traveled through the Central Business District to Mardi Gras World on the Mississippi River. Players threw team-colored, black-and-gold Mardi Gras beads and stuffed footballs at the cheering crowds.

In front of Gallier Hall, a 165-year-old structure that once housed City Hall, Mayor Ray Nagin toasted Saints owner Tom Benson and his wife, Gayle, both perched atop a float that pulsated lights and spewed ticker tape.

Super Bowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees and his offensive line followed on a float minutes later, leading to an eruption of cheers from the crowd.

"New Orleans, we love you, baby!" Brees yelled as he held up a champagne flask.

Many downtown businesses closed shortly after noon, and fans began positioning for spots along the route as early as 10 a.m., despite cold, blustery weather. Some wore elaborate Mardi Gras masks, costumes or Saints jerseys. Others carried signs that read "LOMBARDI GRAS" and "DAT TUESDAY."

David Fields, 43, who attended the parade wearing a gold top hat and black-and-gold beads, said the Saints have restored hope to a city still struggling to rebuild from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

"If the New Orleans Saints can win the Super Bowl, anything's possible," Fields said. "We're all reconnecting through the Saints."