Mardi Gras Parades (February 5 -8)

I hope you’re ready for some parades because they’re coming full steam this weekend.

Friday, February 6, 2014

Krewe of Oshun – Oshun kicks off the Uptown parade season at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and Perrier Street. It’s a fun parade for the whole family and a great way to start the parade season. Keep an eye out for the peackcock figures and medallion necklaces.

Krewe of Cleopatra – Following Oshun is the all-female Krewe of Cleopatra. Keep an eye out for their medallion beads, head bands and other great throws. This krewe is known to be fairly heavy handed with beads so be ready to yell out, “Throw me something Missus.”

Saturday, February 7, 2014

Krewe of Pontchartrain – Saturday is a busy day of parades with five of them happening in Uptown. Pontchartrain starts it all off the right way. The krewe will be throwing cups, beads and a krewe magnent.

Krewe of Choctaw – After Pontchartain is the Krewe of Chocktaw, one of the oldest krewes and known of for their tradition of family fun. Keep your hands up to catch plush tomahawks, spears, beads and wooden nickles.

Krewe of Freret – Welcome back Krewe of Freret. After a long hiatus, they’re back and only throwing locally made throws, including handmade Mardi Gras masks.”

Krewe of Sparta – After a short break, the Krewe of Sparta rolls down St. Charles Avenue at 6 p.m. to start off the evening parades. This parade includes historic touches like flambeaux and mule driven floats. "Their throws include medallion beads, doubloons, Spartan helmets and a top secret mystery throw.

Krewe of Pygmalion – Last, but definitely not least, is the co-ed Krewe of Pygmalion at 6:45 p.m. They'll be throwing doubloons, beads and bracelets.  

Sunday, February 8, 2014

Krewe of Carrollton – Krewe of Carrollton starts “Family Sunday” at noon. The krewe throws doubloons, towels and slap bracelets. They expanded their route and this year to start at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Magazine Street.

Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin – With more than 600 riders, they are one of the largest krewes to parade this weekend. They'll have an impressive 27 floats. King Arthrus will be throwing plush spears, flying discs and balls, all with a blue theme.

Krewe of Alla – This is the second year that the Krewe of Alla has paraded on the East Bank. They were welcomed so warmly last year on the Uptown Route that they decided to come back for more. They'll be throwing doubloons, beads and more.

Alternative Krewes

Just because they’re not traditional Krewes that roll down St. Charles Avenue, doesn’t mean that these parades should be skipped.

Krewe of Cork – For my fellow wine aficionados, the Krewe of Cork marchs through the French Quarter Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. The krewe wears wine and grape themed costumes so they won't be hard to miss.

‘tit Rex – The tiniest of all parades marches at 5 p.m. on Saturday through the Marigny. This parade is made up of miniature floats; we’re talking shoebox size, and has to be seen to be believed. Their theme for this sixth parade is "Wee the People."

Krewe of Chewbacchus – Whether you’re a Stark Trek fan or you think Star Wars is better, all Sci-Fi fanatics will love this parade at 6 p.m. on Saturday through Marigny. The parade includes 100 "Rolling Elliots" on bicycles, dressed in red hoodies with E.T.s in their bike baskets. The krewe throws hommade bandoliers, bean bags, flying discs, stuffed animals and custom beads.

Krewe of Barkus – Dog lovers, this is the parade for you. Bring man’s best friend and march through the Quarter, Sunday at 2 p.m. You and your canine can register in advance or in person the day of the parade. Their theme this year is a fun one, "DogZilla: Barkus Licks the Crescent City."

Suburban Parades

Parades roll through Chalmette, Covington, Mandeville, Metairie and Slidell this weekend. There’s literally too many to list individually, so make sure to check out the parade schedule to see what parades are happening near you.

If you’re in Metarie, Family Gras runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the neutral ground at Veterans and Severn, in front of Lakeside Mall. The musical entertainment is headlined by local rockers Cowboy Mouth and the up-and-coming shining star Amanda Shaw. Lots of food, an art market and plenty of fun to be had in between parade