The Krewe of Okeanos was founded in 1949 by some Ninth Ward businessmen to bring a Carnival parade back to their neighborhood’s main drag, St. Claude Ave, though it now rolls Uptown. Named for the Greek God of oceans and lush valleys, the krewe has over 250 riders and rolled 19 floats depicting this year’s theme of “Children’s Fantasies.” The King was Garth Gilpin and the marshal was Vince Vance, whose moving song and video “I Am New Orleans,” marked the 5 year anniversary of Katrina.
Farhad Bug Patrol opened the parade followed by the fun Pocket Aces Brass Band. Arnie’s Jazz Gents were there, as usual, and Prime Time Brass Band rode by playing on a float. I’m beginning to lose count of how many parades the Rochester-native Prime Timers have participated in this season, but they certainly add great music and silly mischief to each.
Dance teams included Majorettes R Us, Gold Dusters and Dance Innovation, who I caught dancing in my video. Schools included Archbishop Rummel with Archbishop Chapelle‘s Chapellettes, Brusly, St. Mary’s Dominican (founded in 1860!) dancing Dominican Debs and Wooddale out of Memphis.
It was a beautiful day for a parade, which is good because it was the first parade of 5 that day – 12 hours of parades with only a 40 minute break! We ended this one with a quick run to get a pork chop sandwich. And yes, they leave the bone in.
L.A. to N.O.LA 
Pingback: Krewes of Okeanos and Mid-City Parades | L.A. to N.O.LA