New Orleans began its celebration of Mardi Gras Friday without official corporate sponsorship. Although festivities have been covered by the city in the past, Hurricane Katrina has left the Crescent City’s coffers empty. Sponsorship would have funded expenses for security during the celebration and for post-party clean-up which together are estimated at $2.7 million. The eight-day festival is an investment the city cannot afford to let pass.

Lack of sufficient funding and financial support in rebuilding New Orleans has turned Mardi Gras into a controversial effort, in the process raising publicity for an event which plays a crucial role in Nola’s tourist economy. Resources are few and progress is slow. The city’s demographic has changed: the majority of the current population has enough money in the bank to wait out the process of reconstruction.

Trash bag manufacturer Glad Products has contributed 100,000 trash bags as well as a six-figure donation to the Mardi Gras celebration. Meanwhile, Shell Exploration and Production Co. has been signed on to sponsor the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, another of the city’s key tourist attractions, this April.