<P> In 2009, New Orleans ranked No. 7 on Newsmax magazine's list of the "Top 25 Most Uniquely American Cities and Towns", a piece written by current CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg . In determining his ranking, Greenberg cited the city's rebuilding effort post-Katrina as well as its mission to become eco-friendly . </P> <P> The New Orleans area is home to numerous celebrations, the most popular of which is Carnival, often referred to as Mardi Gras . Carnival officially begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as the "Twelfth Night". Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday"), the final and grandest day of festivities, is the last Tuesday before the Catholic liturgical season of Lent, which commences on Ash Wednesday . </P> <P> The largest of the city's many music festivals is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival . Commonly referred to simply as "Jazz Fest", it is one of the largest music festivals in the nation, featuring crowds of people from all over the world, coming to experience music, food, arts, and crafts . Despite the name, it features not only jazz but a large variety of music, including both native Louisiana music and international artists . Along with Jazz Fest, New Orleans' Voodoo Experience ("Voodoo Fest") and the Essence Music Festival are both large music festivals featuring local and international artists . </P> <P> Other major festivals held in the city include Southern Decadence, the French Quarter Festival, and the Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival . </P>

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