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Mardi Gras reveler Mike Turpin, whose night still wasn’t over, watches early Wednesday as a front loader collects beads and other debris left behind by revelers on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Ash Wednesday marks the end of Mardi Gras festivities and the beginning of the Lenten season for most Christians. Lent recalls Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness and leads up to Holy Week and Easter.

AP photo