New Orleans Saints players, members of the Saintsations and Mascot Gumbo helped kickoff Mardi Gras weekend by participating in the 43rd Annual "Greasing of the Poles" event at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Friday.

The "Greasing of the Poles" ceremony is the long-standing tradition of greasing the support poles as a means to deter people from shimmying up to coveted balcony space above.

Punter Thomas Morstead served as a judge for the event while S Isa Abdul-Quddus, LB Chris Chamberlain, FB Jed Collins, C Brian de la Puente, DE Junior Galette and Team Ambassador Michael Lewis helped hold the ladders.

Prior to the event, the Pussyfooters and the Original Hurricane Brass Band performed for the crowd.

Morstead and the other judges scored the four participants that greased the poles at the entrance of the Bourbon Street hotel.

Morstead, who has judged the event the past two years, said the experience is always a good way to showcase the spirit of Mardi Gras.

"I love this time of year," said Morstead. "It's a great way to begin Mardi Gras weekend and I was glad to be a part of it."