Saturday started with the Krewe of Iris, the oldest and largest all-female krewe. Founded in 1917, they began parading in 1959. Named for the Goddess of the Rainbow who was also the Messenger to the Gods, the over 900 ladies wear masks and white gloves in the tradition of their foremothers. Award winning journalist and news anchor, Angela Hill, served as Grand Marshal.
The gorgeous weather was the perfect backdrop for the brightly-painted floats and the colorfully-floral ladies of Krewe des Fleurs, the bagpipe-playing Kilts of Many Colours and the scooter-riding Krewe of the Rolling Elvi. Fun, funky bands included Dat Funk Brass Band and Fat City Drum Corps.
The plentiful and amazing high school bands included Hunters Lane, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Sophie B. Wright, Martin Luther King Jr., ReNEW, Samuel J. Green, Mary D. Coghill, McDonogh #28 and Maplewood High School out of Nashville as well as Hinds Community College and the tropically-delightful Cornell College from Pandemonium, Iowa.
Next up, Krewe of Tucks.
