I don’t know about you, but by the time we hit the first week of February, I’m gonna be worn out.

The overwhelming brouhaha and feeding frenzy that is the Super Bowl obviously can’t be underestimated as a cash infusion for New Orleans, but damn!

There’s already a lot going on in New Orleans on a regular weekend—by the time you add in Super Bowl XLVII and, a little over a week later, Mardi Gras… well, it’s a little overwhelming.

At press time they’re building what looks like a small sports arena in the large parking lot in front of Mardi Gras World (the one that fronts Tchoupitoulas). I hear it’s supposed to serve as the Dan Patrick studio for the Super Bowl.

Bud Light, the official NFL beer sponsor, will reportedly sponsor a series of concerts at a temporary venue that’s being constructed in the “Whale Parking Lot” next to the New Orleans Hilton Riverside. Their official hotel is the Wyndham across the street; it’s being converted to the “Bud Light Hotel” during the days prior to Super Bowl weekend. The venue will host performances from Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Stevie Wonder with special guests, plus Lee Brice and the Eli Young Band, all on different nights, Thursday through Sunday.

It’s no wonder the tourism people and hospitality industry are salivating in anticipation of this year’s Super Bowl. There’s a lot of money in them thar fans.

The Super Bowl is just icing to this year’s Mardi Gras windfall of tourist dough. I hope that visitors get the urge to wander out to local clubs and enjoy some of the more authentic sounds that New Orleans offers. I do not doubt that the entire city will be packed with partying, drinking and generally debauched visitors—after all, New Orleans is known for its nonstop party, with or without alcohol (mostly with!).

My ‘hood is where I want to be during Mardi Gras: a block from Rex, a block from Zulu and a half block from Second and Dryades. We get the entire spectrum of Mardi Gras parades on my street. The only thing missing is the raunchiness of Downtown and the Quarter, but I can always get there and back to my homemade red beans and rice and king cake—and a clean bathroom—in just a few minutes.

New Orleans: Oh man, you just gotta love it.

Have a great time, go out and hear some live local music, and be safe!