NEW ORLEANS – The Mardi Gras season entered its last big weekend of parades and galas in New Orleans before its end at midnight Fat Tuesday, when Ash Wednesday ushers in the period of Lent leading to Easter.

The Krewe of Endymion’s parade moved through the city Saturday night and ended inside the Louisiana Superdome – where the 2016 Endymion Extravaganza was underway. In 2015, 20,000 people attended the party. Pitbull and Steven Tyler were providing entertainment this year.

Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy said this year’s Endymion parade consists of 36 floats and 3,100 riders.

Endymion Captain Ed Muniz said the krewe spent more than $1 million to update the lighting on the floats.

Before Endymion arrived in front of his home on Orleans Avenue, Scott Colomb was throwing a porch party with 250 invited guests, who were treated to New Orleans food, beverages and live music.

“Singer Irma Thomas will be leading a second line and performing her hit music,” Colomb said.

On the west bank of New Orleans, the Krewe of NOMTOC – New Orleans Most Talked of Club – started in front of Elmo Peter’s home Saturday morning. “Thirty-eight years ago, my girlfriend and I were asleep … but we heard sirens and bands. We got out of bed and started marching in the parade and have been doing so every year,” Peters said.

The super Krewe of Bacchus, known for its spectacle, plans to roll on its traditional St. Charles Avenue route Sunday evening with 31 floats and 1,400 riders.