Will Ferrell Nervous About First Mardi Gras

Tonight, Will Ferrell will experience the insanity of a Mardis Gras in New Orleans. Ferrell, who just wrapped filming on his new political comedy “The Campaign,” will act as the king of Bacchus of the parade. But before Ferrell starts tossing beads along St. Charles Avenue, the comedy star visited a children’s hospital to spread some Mardi Gras joy.

Ferrell said:

“This is such an honor for me. This is my first Mardi Gras. To be, not only here, but to be part of the Bacchus organization. To be King. The King. Hail me.”

WWLTV reports that Ferrell handed out doubloons and beads to patients at the hospital and took a few dozen pictures.

Bacchus Executive Director Owen Brennan said:

“He’s got three young children, an 8, a 5 and a 3, all three boys. So, this was really close to his heart, and that’s what he said, he said, that’s one of the main reasons that he agreed to do this under these circumstances. He’s been away from his family for three months, living in New Orleans and filming, and we wanted to get back.”

NOLA reports that Ferrell wrapped up filming on “The Campaign” on Thursday and the crew will have their wrap party tonight after the Bacchus parade. This is the star’s first Mardi Gras and Ferrell admitted that he’s a little nervous. Ferrell said:

“I don’t know what to expect… I do have to say, everybody is coming up to me and … they have the same speech pattern: They go, ‘Have you been here before for Mardi Gras?’ And I say, ‘No.’ Then they pause. ‘Oh. You’re going to have a good time…’ It’s slightly ominous, almost like it’s going to be fraternity hazing or something. But I don’t know what to expect. I’m not going to try to predict (what happens), and I think it’s going to be crazy and fun.”

Zach Galafianakis, who also stars in “The Campaign,” will be riding in the float behind Ferrell’s. Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Charlton Heston, Kirk Douglas, Elijah Wood, James Gandolfini, Nicolas Cage and Drew Brees have also had the honor.

Have you ever been to Mardi Gras?