Queen Keri Lee, left, and King Robustus XXXII Paul Bel, right, lead the Krewe of O.A.K. back down Oak street to the Maple Leaf Bar for their ball. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Outrageous and Kinky (O.A.K) rolled their 31st annual midsummer Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, August 25. The parade began at the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak, down Oak, left on Carrollton and stopped at Palmer Park. They finished back at the Maple Leaf where O.A.K. held their ball. O.A.K.’s theme this year was “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” Their King Robustus XXXII was Paul Bel and queen was Keri Lee. Bel, a contractor, maintains Jacque-Imo’s and part of the Maple Leaf.
Krewe of O.A.K. King Robustus XXXII Paul Bel addresses the crowd from the balcony above the Maple Leaf Bar before the parade began. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
People packed Oak street curb to curb before the start of the parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Captain Floyd Falcon sings “Hey Baby” with the crowd to O.A.K.’s queen, Keri Lee before the parade began. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Rafael Lugo, of El Lucha Krewe, poses for a photo during the 2018 Midsummer Mardi Gras parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Onlookers hang out of windows on Oak street to catch a glimpse of the Midsummer Mardi Gras parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Frank Lodato gets his face painted outside of the Maple Leaf Bar before the Midsummer Mardi Gras parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Tony Hall, president of the Lyons Carnival Club, dances down Oak street during the Midsummer Mardi Gras parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Soul Brass Band performs for the krewe and parade-goers in Palmer Park during the break in the parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Tap Dat dance group dances to the All For One brass band on Oak street before the parade began. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
The Muff-a-lottas group dance down Oak Street during the parade. The 31st annual parade rolled with the theme “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
