Southern Decadence is 5 days of costumes, parties and parades celebrating the LGBT community. Marking their 47th year, an M.C. reminded the crowd the event has been around since being gay was illegal. Now, the long weekend attracts over 210,000 people and creates a $250 million economic impact – making it one of the top 5 annual events in New Orleans.
Good weather held out for most of the Sunday parade, save one fairly brief and cooling shower. Drag queens, dance troupes, pride groups and other revelers took to the streets in costumes accented with this year’s Royal Blue and Canary Yellow colors for the theme of “House of Bourbon: Unleash Your Beast.”
As always, my Pussyfooter sisters looked fabulous. Though I wished I could be dancing through the French Quarter with them, the parade is always one of my favorite events to photograph.
Walking krewes, dance troupes and bands included Merry Antoinettes, Organ Grinders, Baby Dolls, New Orleans Louisiana Pups and Handlers, Mystic Krewe of the Lords of Leather, Big Easy Rollergirls, Krewe des Fleurs, Krewe of the Rolling Elvi, Jailhouse Rockers, Streetcar Strutters, Mystic Krewe of P.U.E.W.C., Krewe of Spank, Pair-a-Dice Tumblers, Krewe of Goddesses, Camel Toe Lady Steppers, DancingMan504, Alter Egos, Krewe de Lune’s Star-Steppin’ CosmoNaughties, Disco Amigos, Muff-A-Lottas, NOLA Night Lights and their hula hoops, Roux La La, the new Latin-inspired group Ritmeaux Krewe, El Lucha Krewe, Crescent City Rougaroux Rugby, Flaming Flagetts, NOLA Nyxettes and Mermoux.
L.A. to N.O.LA 