Molly’s (Jim Monaghan’s) Irish parade

Whichever name you call it by, this was its 32nd year. Molly’s at the Market is an Irish pub with game nights, neon cluttered walls and a jukebox full of rock and local favorites. It’s also where the parade was born, begins and ends. A friend of mine from college had just arrived in New Orleans for her first visit to the city. After lunch at K. Paul’s, a visit to Jackson Square, Photoworks Gallery and Maskarade mask shop (all from my list of Fav Things), we headed over for her first parade – ever. The parade is short on floats but big on fun and she loved it.

Krewe of Jingle Parade 2012

The good news is that I am very, very busy preparing for the release of Django Unchained and the debut of my part as Leonardo DiCaprio’s sister, Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly as well as another project I’ll be announcing soon. The bad news is that I haven’t had much time to blog (or do laundry, etc.). We stumbled across my beloved Roots of Music marching band and founder, Derrick Tabb (of Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band) as they prepared for their upcoming trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade in California while on our way to catch The Krewe of Jingle Parade.

Krewe of Jingle Parade

This weekend was the 4th annual Krewe of Jingle Parade on Canal Street. The Downtown Development District created Canal Street: Home for the Holidays to draw shoppers and families looking for holiday activities. They wisely scheduled the parade to finish before the LSU game and many in the crowd were sporting their purple and gold as they waited for the Mr. Bingle float to open the festivities.