Funnyman Will Ferrell helped to kick off Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana on Sunday by taking to the streets of New Orleans as this year's celebrity grand marshal.

The actor has been filming new movie The Campaign with Zach Galifianakis in the city since last autumn and on Sunday he showed off his love for the area by donning a gold crown and boarding a festive float to serve as King of the Bacchus parade.

Declaring New Orleans "arguably the best city in the world", Ferrell waved to the crowd as hundreds of party goers and fans lined the streets to begin ushering in the Christian Lenten season.

Rocker Bret Michaels, actress Patricia Clarkson, and pop veteran Cyndi Lauper are also currently in town for the festivities, as is New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. and his new Law & Order: Special Victims Unit co-star Mariska Hargitay.

Ferrell is the latest star to take on the royal duty - actors Nicolas Cage, James Gandolfini, William Shatner and Elijah Wood have all played Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine, in previous years.