King cakes, parties and themed drinks and foods are coming to Arlington and Falls Church for Fat Tuesday next week. From purple, green and gold-covered sweets to New Orleans cuisine and church pancake suppers,

New Orleans Mardi Gras parades went ahead Tuesday morning despite the threat of severe weather that has forced cancellation of other parades (AP Video: Stephen Smith)

Jefferson Parish officials are canceling Mardi Gras Day parades because they are worried strong winds could flip floats, send tents flying and create other unsafe conditions. Why it matters: It's the first time the holiday's parades have been canceled in recent memory,