Krewes of Freret & Themis Parades 2023

Krewe of Freret is one of my favorites of the season. The original Krewe paraded for 40 years until the 90’s. In 2011, some children of the previous membership and others gave the parade a reboot. The addition of Grammy-winner Trombone Shorty’s float with the super-long trombone prop has given the ever-evolving parade new continuity. His cover of Ernie K-Doe’s Here Come the Girls was playing as he rode past, throwing goodies to the crowd.

Krewe of Sparta Parade 2022

The Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion end the 5-parade Saturday on St. Charles. Sparta is a fairly traditional parade with masked riders – both on the floats and on the horses that lead the way. I was excited to see the flambeaux lighting the Avenue as they have since before the invention of electricity. It’d been 2 years since we’d been entertained by the guys twirling their flames for tips in any parades. 

The floats featured phoenix’s and fairy queens. Crowds especially reacted to the dragons – one carried

Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion 2020

The Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion ended a 5-parade Saturday on St. Charles. Sparta is a more traditional parade with masked riders, timeless floats, and flambeau lighting the way as they have since before the invention of electricity. The royalty of Krewe of Pygmalion wore elaborately beaded collars portraying ships, outer space and other wonders. T-Pain, AKA Monster the Masked Singer-winner, served as Grand Marshal

Sparta and Pygmalion Parades 2019

I wrote a lovely blog about the Knights of Sparta and Krewe of Pygmalion parades with anecdotes about huddling with people from all over when the rain poured. But technology has defeated me and that post disappeared as I went to publish. Enjoy the photos!

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.

Krewe of Cleopatra & Saturday Parades

Again, I have little time to blog but I did want to share some photos from the Krewes of Cleopatra, Pontchartrain, Choctaw, Sparta and Pygmalion. Krewe of Cleopatra was my first parade this year dancing with the Pussyfooters. I always love dancing with the “Pink Army” but I had an extra pep in my step this time.

Mardi Gras 2017 Wrap-Up

We’ve heard it a lot in the last few days – this was the best Carnival (Mardi Gras season) in years. In fairness, a lot of it had to do with the extraordinarily wonderful weather. After the 50 degree rain-soaked Krewe of Cleopatra parade,  most days were 70-80 and sunny with breezes. This year, I danced in 3 parades with the Pussyfooters. We were excited to debut our super-hero-inspired capes and signature pink corsets at the Cleopatra parade but mostly ended up covered in dripping-wet plastic sacks. That said, the crowds kept us inspired. Carnival parades are like a perpetual motion machine. The paraders bring energy to the crowds and the crowds bring energy to the paraders.

Though routines are set, each year I get to do new things at Mardi Gras and have new experiences.

Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion 2017

Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion finished a long Saturday of 5 parades. With beautiful floats, traditional costumes and flambeau, Sparta got the night off on a note of nostalgia then added fun surprises like dancing Chinese dragons. Pygmalion‘s floats featured exotic animals and many dancers and bands had interesting uses of light including the brightly lighted instruments of Holy Cross Tiger Band the lighted shoes of one of the dance troupes and the glowing tent of walkers in Krewe of Lune with the Star-Steppin Cosmonaughties. Though I wasn’t able to take many photos, I enjoyed dancing in the streets and catching beads. Having danced in Friday’s Krewe of Cleopatra parade and attended 5 parades Saturday, I felt exhausted but exhilarated to have already celebrated Carnival on both sides of the curb.

Mardi Gras Wrap-Up 2011

To sum up the entire season, Carnival Historian and float designer, Henri Schindler said it best, whether you’re a parader or a viewer, “It never ends. For the entire year, you’re either preparing for it, experiencing it or remembering it.” Louis Armstrong, who led a storied life said it was his lifelong ambition to be King of Zulu. And, as for me, Mardi Gras has always held a special place in my heart because of a photo I’ve cherished since I was a child.