The Canal Street Home for the Holidays Krewe of Jingle Parade features dance troupes, stilt-walkers, marching bands, majorettes, floats, Santa and local favorite – Mr. Bingle. Organized by the Downtown Development District, the parade rolled for the 9th year, attracting locals and tourists – many in festive costumes of their own. Krewe of Jingle is one of my favorite parades to dance in with my “pink sisters,” the Pussyfooters.
The Pussyfooters, about 120 nurses, executives, business owners, mothers and other female pillars of the community over the age of 30, wear pink and orange uniforms. But for Jingle (and the Krewe of Boo parade), we get to modify our uniforms in the season’s spirit. I went with a Santa theme this year, recutting and sewing a tree-skirt I’d made years ago. Others wore snowflakes, gingerbread houses, poinsettias, menorahs, candy canes and other holiday cheer.
As an actor, I get to see behind the scenes of movie magic. As a Pussyfooter, I get to see behind the scenes of the parade culture of New Orleans. The massive floats lined our starting place above Lee Circle. This time, I spotted our pink crowd right away, but I never mind wandering down the street past all the bands and dance troupes practicing in the neutral ground or sipping cocktails on sidewalks.
The weather was weird, grey and low 60’s with a persistent mist that never quite became rain. This year’s youth dance and majorette troupes included Girl Twirl, Majorettes R Us, Dance I.H.C., Twirling Divas and Mademoiselle Dwyn’s School of Dance. Adult crews were represented by the Pussyfooters, Muff A Lottas, Organ Grinders, Amelia Earhawts, Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale and the Krewe of the Rolling Elvi. School bands included Edna Karr, Sophie B. Wright, ReNEW Cultural Arts Center.
Enjoy a peek behind the scenes and photos from the parade!
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- with my Pussyfooter “Kitten,” Monica
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- before the parade
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- Santa!
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- Santa
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- Pussyfooters!
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- Mr. Bingle
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- Mr. Bingle!
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- lining up
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- lining up
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- Krewe of Jingle parade
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- Pussyfooters parading
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- Pussyfooters parading
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- I’m in there
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- Santa throws beads
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- Santa throws beads
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- done!
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- makin’ groceries
L.A. to N.O.LA 
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Chris…Mardi Gras”. Thanks for the excellent write up and photos to keep me anticipating the Christmas and Carnival seasons.
You are so welcome!
Ah, Mr. Bingle brings back so many memories of shopping on Canal street with my mom during the holidays, getting a glimpse of the old snowman in the window of the Maison Blanche building is a treasure forever etched in my mind. That would have to be well over fifty years ago.
Great pictures Laura, thanks for the memories.
Lionel P.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the post and the memories…