Spectators admire the Krewe of Proteus title float, "Mythologica Aquatica," on Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A member of the Ducks of Dixieland shares a dance to the music of the Bone Tone Brass Band with a parade-goer on St. Charles Avenue near the beginning of the Krewe of Tucks parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Dressed in an extravagant winged costume, singer Cyndi Lauper throws beads from her float in the Krewe of Orpheus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Each of the Lundi Gras parades this year did what they do best: The Krewe of Tucks served up raunchy, high-concept satire; the Krewe of Proteus evoked the grandeur of aquatic mythologies; and the Krewe of Orpheus produced its immensely popular spectacle of light and music.
Tucks, rescheduled after Saturday’s rainout, rolled with the ironic theme of “Tucks Gets Culture,” meshing an Art History 101 course with lowbrow jokes and biting commentary. Proteus followed with a theme of “Mythologica Aquatica,” celebrating watery legends from the world over. Finally, Orpheus offered adoring crowds celebrities like Poison frontman Bret Michaels, singer Cyndi Lauper and actresses Hillary Swank and Mariska Hargitay as well as the “Nonsense and Tomfoolery” theme.
To see reaction and photos from parade-goers, see our live coverage from Twitter using the hashtags #Tucks, #Proteus and #Orpheus.
Krewe of Tucks
The Dragons of New Orleans and the 501st Legion (a Star Wars costuming group) march down St. Charles Avenue ahead of the Krewe of Tucks. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The king and queen of the Krewe of Tucks roll down St. Charles Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Kolossos pedals their tricycles down St. Charles Avenue with the Krewe of Tucks. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Tucks' "Sunday in Da Park" float reimagined Seurat's impressionist masterpiece as a Saints cookout. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Members of the Krewe of Tucks wear Andy Warhol wigs as part of the "Tucks Gets Culture" theme. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Tucks' "Pristine Chapel" float mocks a "Divine List of Church Closings" and "Aymond's Holy Order." (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
For the "Michaelangelo's David Vitter" float, the Krewe of Tucks placed a diaper on their version of the sculpter's masterpiece. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
On the float titled "Forget pink elephants... We're seeing blue dogs," riders painted their faces like local artist George Rodrigue's iconic canine. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Tucks' "Expelling the Culture" float. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Krewe of Proteus
In between parades, a group of Marine Corps musicians from the base in Algiers enthralled the crowd on Napoleon Avenue with a high-energy set of brass band favorites such as "Do Whatcha Wanna." (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
"The Birth of Venus" rolls up Napoleon Avenue in the Krewe of Proteus. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Glowing tridents were among the most sought-after throws in the Krewe of Proteus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A knight in the Krewe of Proteus gives a doubloon to a smiling member of the crowd on Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
"Delphinus, servant of Poseidon" rolls in the Krewe of Proteus. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Riders on Proteus' "Tlaloc" float prepare for a long throw. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Proteus float depicting a hydra rolls on Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
NOPD Sgt. Marc Amos watches the crowd during a pause in the Krewe of Proteus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Roots of Music brass band performs on Napoleon Avenue during the Krewe of Proteus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A rider in the Krewe of Proteus points to someone in the crowd as he prepares to toss a throw. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The "Nessie: The Loch Ness Monster" float rises over Napoleon Avenue in the Krewe of Proteus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Krewe of Orpheus
Rows of flambeaux march up Napoleon Avenue ahead of the Krewe of Orpheus. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Bret Michaels, singer of the glam-rock band Poison, and Mayor Mitch Landrieu shared a lead float in the Krewe of Orpheus. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Harry Connick Jr., the founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, tosses beads as his float rolls down St. Charles Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A devilish float in the Krewe of Orpheus parade's "Nonsense and Tomfoolery" theme rounds the corner from Napoleon onto St. Charles in the Krewe of Orpheus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The famed Orpheus Leviathan rolls up Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A rider in the Krewe of Orpheus looks into the crowd on Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Riders toss beads from the "Uncle Ted's Tea" float in the Krewe of Orpheus. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Spectators beg for beads as the Krewe of Orpheus parades up Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
