Krewes of Pontchartrain & Choctaw Parades

Saturday was a 5 parade day starting with the Krewe of Pontchartrain. The weather was pretty perfect (75, sunny) for the school bands, dancers, baton twirlers and pom girls as well as the women of Dance Connection, Muff-A-Lottas and Big Easy RollerGirls. Dee Snider threw beads from his perch high atop a float filled with riders sporting his signature long blonde hair. Best known as the frontman for Twisted Sister, I have always felt grateful for his testimony before Congress 30 years ago where he fought for our First Amendment rights.

Krewe of Choctaw followed with the NOLA Showgirls wearing flea de lis headpieces topped with a spray of ostrich feathers. But the stars of Choctaw were the many impressive school bands and girls from local dance schools. As someone who dances in parades with the Pussyfooters, I know what it takes to dance over 20,000 steps with a crowd-engaging smile on my face as morning turns to dusk. I can’t imagine doing it with legs half my length – or not just carrying some giant instrument, but playing it! It’s beyond impressive.

Next up – Krewes of Freret, Sparta and Pygmalion.