http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule.html
New Orleans, Metairie, Chalmette, Slidell, Mandeville & Covington all have parades. Fat Tuesday IS Feb. 17th--which IS early, b/c Easter is early. It's 40 days before Easter--so whenever Mardi Gras is, Easter Sunday is 40 days later, or March 29th this year. Poor bartender--it doesn't matter what state you're in... unless it's the State of Confusion.
Site linked last year to the BR parades as well--they have them there & in that area too. Along w/Mobile. Have a good time!