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 Pygmalion

Krewe of Pygmalion rolled on the heels of the Knights of Sparta last Saturday night, the topper to a 3 parade day. One of the more affordable krewes, both men and women ride. This year’s theme was “It’s All Greek to Me.” Greek Gods and Goddesses fronted the many floats but weren’t as spectacular as the royalty riding the floats. The peacock-like sequined displays surrounding the King, Queen and court are so cumbersome that the women are held up by an unseen harness hanging from a pole behind them.

Knights of Sparta Parade 2011

Saturday night, the elaborately costumed Knights of Sparta krewe, founded in 1951, paraded down St. Charles.  The king’s fancy float is still drawn by mules and is preceded by the traditional flambeaux, people carrying torches to light the way. The tradition of handing the flambeaux pocket change is also still alive. The krewe officers also carry tradition, still riding horses in masks and stunning long capes.

I love a parade

Okay, so I meant to post this a few days ago, but it’s been an action packed weekend so forgive me and enjoy.

Last night, I attended the first Uptown parade, the Krewe of Oshun, named for the Yoruba goddess of love and intimacy. I stood next to a mother and her 2 small girls. I never raised my hands, never yelled, “Throw me somethin’, mista,” and yet I came home covered in beads. Many were gifts from the girls as I was helping them grab toys and candies that were thrown from the floats.