The parades are growing more numerous the closer we get to the real Fat Tuesday! New Orleans and the surrounding cities are proud to be the real McCoy when it comes to Mardi Gras. Other places do it, but we are the original and most well-known, and we revel in that fact!
February 26
Starting off Uptown, the Krewe of Druids and their mysterious leader, the Archdruid, begin at 6:30, followed immediately by the all-female Mystic Krewe of Nyx, one of the newer krewes, formed in 2012.
February 27
We stay uptown for the Knights of Babylon parade, at 5:45pm, with it’s mule-drawn king and flambeaux lit floats, telling a story as the traverse the city, followed by the Knights of Chaos, when it’s theme will finally be revealed at 6:30. Also uptown is the Krewe of Muses, another all-female krewe with over 650 riders at 6:30 with their student-designed throw cup.
February 28
Again in Uptown, we have three parades in a row, starting with Krewe of Hermes at 6pm, a krewe started in 1937, whose captain leads the parade in full regalia upon a white horse. Then at 6:30 is the Krewe d’Etat, rolling with 415 male riders, revealing it’s secret theme and throwing blinking beads. Finally at 7pm, Krewe of Morpheus comes through with its 500 male and female riders and “old-time” traditional parade experience.
March 1
At 10:45AM in the Westbank is the parade of the Krewe of Nomtoc, (New Orleans Most Talked Of Club), with its famous throws and 400 all African American male and female riders. 11AM in Uptown is the historic Krewe of Iris, formed in 1917, all female, and following strict traditions such as full masks and white gloves. At Noon, Krewe of Tucks, a humorous group with an “Animal House” flair. Mid-City at 4:15pm, super-krewe Endymion rolls with 2,700 masked riders, throwing millions of beads and Endymion 2014 collectible throws, and Grand Marshall Carrie Underwood. At 6:30PM in Metairie, Krewe of Isis brings the Egypt to Louisiana with 250 riders and 21 floats.
March 2
Sunday is a big day for Uptown with 4 parades, starting at 11am with Krewe of Okeanos with 250 riders of both sexes, then at 11:45, the Krewe of Mid-City, formed in 1933 and considered “The best day parade in Mardi Gras”. At Noon, the Krewe of Thoth rolls with its wonderful throws, and making sure to parade past health care facilities for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to see a parade. Later, at 5:15 pm, Krewe of Bacchus rolls with it’s grand marshall, House himself, Hugh Laurie. If you find yourself in Metairie at 5:30PM, you can see Krewe of Napoleon and its French theme, with the Emperor and Jospehine and the Arc De Triumph pulled by white horses.
March 3
Krewe of Proteus rolls Uptown at 5:15pm with its giant seashell protecting the mysterious king and historical parade chassis from 1882. 6pm will find Krewe of Orpheus, another super-krewe with grand marshall Fats Domino and king Quentin Tarantino. Moving on to Metarie at 6:15PM with Krewe of Hera, one of only two female Krewes in the parish, followed by Krewe of Zeus, a Greek themed parade with a mule-drawn king’s float and calliope.
The next post in our series will be all about the Big Day itself!