by AP

NEW ORLEANS — Tailgating began near sunrise around the Louisiana Superdome though the New Orleans Saints’ season-opening NFL game with the Minnesota Vikings wasn’t scheduled to start for more than 12 hours.

As the Saints prepared to open the defense of their Super Bowl title, the city was in Mardi Gras mode: schools set to close early and concerts and a parade planned in the French Quarter. Even City Hall closed for the day.

Faren Verdin of Houma, La., said he, his cousin Joseph “Sac” Verdin and their wives, Jenn and Melissa, were up at 4 a.m. to get ready for the 70-minute drive.

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