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Mardi Gras in next Tuesday. This is the most important day of the year in New Orleans, and one of the grandest parties in the United States all year.

For those of you who will be traveling down south to properly celebrate February 16 or you will be throwing a party at home of your own, here’re five iPhone applications to help you.

1. Discovery Channel Maps: New Orleans: One of the best (and cheaper at only $ 0.99) guidebooks to New Orleans for the iPhone, the Discovery Channel application includes maps and detailed information on all the important stages of some transport information.

2. 90.7 WWOZ FM: Being the official New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station, iit is only appropriate that you stream and listen to  some tunes of famous jazz on your mobile device is always possible you might be next week.

3. Mardi Gras Guide by Arthur Hardy: Published by a journalist who has covered Mardi Gras celebrations in NOLA for years, includes detailed information on the parade and carnival not only the city but also in the vicinity and suburbs and towns (and as someone who has seen quite a few outside the city in Metairie, they aren’t to be immediately dismissed).

4. New Orleans Mardi Gras Entertainment Guide: Slightly cheaper than the previous app,  this entertainment guide has all the important information on bars, parties and live music in the French Quarter and other neighborhoods of New Orleans. There are also logistical information, such as parking, stopping times and places and even weather updates.

5. Mardi Gras (the game): You can bring the Mardi Gras to yourself with this $1.99 application. Basically, as the King of Mardi Gras, toss trinkets and beads to the crowd. The happier their mood is, the more points you get. It is a sort of consolation prize if they can not go, but perhaps their pleasure, or at least something to play while waiting for the bus.

As for some gadgets that you can not leave home without it? A point and shoot camera, by the way, and preferably one that records HD video if you do not transportable to another. If you are serious about photography and not party too hard, then take a digital SLR, but beware of the crowds and do not leave on the table,  but beware of large crowds and don’t leave it on the table because a drink is bound to spill on it.

And if you are having a party at home, do not forget to order a king cake in time. You’ll be disappointed if they do not.