Laissez les bons temps roule! New Orleans knows how to let the Good Times Roll.
Every year, carnival season kicks off with Twelfth Night, twelve nights after Christmas day. The 2015 carnival season officially started on January 6th.
There are many Mardi Gras parades inside and outside of New Orleans. However, the most attended parades occurred this past weekend starting on Wednesday. Mardi Gras spectators could feel the excitement in the air as they waited for the upcoming parades.
The costumed riders rolled by throughout the weekend throwing an assortment of traditional and diverse beads, stuffed animals, doubloons and special trinkets.
Riders on the floats and pedestrians walking the streets wore elaborate costumes. Handmade costumes and headpieces could be seen throughout the parade route and in the French Quarter.
Uptown New Orleans is a prime spot to watch and participate in the Mardi Gras Mambo madness. St. Charles Avenue runs from Downtown to Uptown, where spectators crowd the street to watch as ornate floats roll by.
Each parade is unique and follows it’s own theme. This year was certainly a year of incredible décor and fun.
On Wednesday, the Krewe of Druids and the Krewe of Nyx marched through St. Charles. The Krewe of Druids is a parade-only organization, while the Krewe of Nyx is one of the newest all-women’s Mardi Gras Krewe founded in 2012.
The Krewe of Babylon, Chaos and Muses rolled down St. Charles Avenue last Thursday night starting at 5:45 p.m. Some lucky spectators were thrown handcrafted shoes made from members of the all-female crew of Muses.
The 610 Stompers started off Friday night parades with the first parade, the Krewe of Hermes. Krewe d’Etat, which was recently voted “Best of Carnival,” followed. The Krewe of Morpheus wrapped up the night on the Avenue and left partygoers in high anticipation for the rest of the exciting weekend.
Parade-ers didn’t have much time to recoup from their late night out as the Krewe of Iris started at 11a.m. Iris stands as the oldest and largest all-female Krewe in New Orleans. The Krewe of Tucks left Mardi Gras newcomers in awe with its satirical floats.
Spectators grabbed their ladders and heavily packed ice chests for Sunday. The Krewe of Okeanos, Mid-City, Thoth and Bacchus rolled through on Sunday with non-stop enthusiasm. The Krewe of Bacchus rode through on Sunday coordinating with the theme, “Children’s Stories That Live Forever.” Actor John C. Reilly reigned as Bacchus XLVI.
Every year, the parade ends in the Superdome, where the Bacchus Bash continues throughout the night and into the early morning.
Enthusiastic and dedicated Mardi Gras goers continued with the carnival cheer by attending the Krewe of Proteus and Orpheus late on Monday. Even though the forecast predicted showers and cold temperatures, the parade rolled on.
The Krewe of Proteus, the second-oldest Krewe in Carnival Season, took over the streets starting at 4:00p.m. The Krewe of Orpheus, started by Harry Connick Junior, invited the “NCIS: New Orleans” cast to ride as part of the Orpheus monarch.
Mardi Gras came to a close on freezing cold Fat Tuesday with the Krewe of Zulu, Rex, Elks Orleans and Crescent City. The Krewe of Rex attracts the most attention with Rex reigning over the entire Carnival season. The Krewe of Elks Orleans and Crescent City, or the “truck parades,” wrap up the day. On the trucks, riders always give generous throws.

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