Rolling today and tonight: Pontchartrain, Choctaw, Freret, Sparta, Pygmalion

Saturday is very full parade day, with five krewes and their accompanying bands and dancers keeping the Uptown route lively from early afternoon until late evening.

The National Weather Service promises a mostly sunny day with highs near 60 degrees. In the evening, clear skies and a low around 46 degrees are expected.

The route

All parades will follow the same abbreviated route:
Start: Napoleon Avenue and Prytania Street
Proceed down Napoleon
Right on St. Charles Avenue
Proceed on St. Charles Avenue around Lee Circle
Proceed on St. Charles
Right on Canal Street
Right on Tchoupitoulas Street
End: Tchoupitoulas and Poydras Street

You can check on the krewe’s progress in the city’s Parade Tracker. See additional information about Mardi Gras parades at ready.nola.gov/mardi-gras or text MARDIGRAS to 77295 for updates from the city.

Krewe of Pontchartrain

The krewe named for the 630-square-mile estuary that borders the city’s northern edge celebrates marine life and all things New Orleans.  This year the Krewe of Pontchartrain has 400 male and female riders are parading on 17 floats.

Start: 1 p.m.

Theme: “What’s Up Pontchartrain?”

Look for: This krewe honors the military and will feature the U.S. Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Mudbug, Super Grouper and the King Cake Baby are among the signature floats.

Catch it if you can: The signature throw is a decorated crawfish tray, and the krewe is introducing a new throw this year: the Pontchartrain dog leash.

Krewe of Choctaw

The Krewe of Choctaw joined the migration to the Uptown route after parading on the West Bank since 1939, when the krewe bought some old mail wagons from the U.S. government to carry its first floats. The old stripped-down wagons formed the chassis for the first Choctaw parade floats.

This family-oriented krewe’s 275 riders include men, women and children on 16 floats.

Start: 2 p.m. (follows Pontchartrain)

Theme: “The Show Must Go On”

Look for: The co-ed krewe will have several floats with women only.

Catch it if you can: Signature throws include hand-decorated tomahawks and plush spears.

Krewe of Freret

The first Krewe of Freret paraded for 40 years before disbanding in the mid-1990s. In 2014, a group of Loyola graduates took the name and paraded with it, instilling the daytime parade with a distinctive local flavor. Its marquee floats include one of the largest props ever affixed to a Mardi Gras float — a giant bust of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. The parade culminates in the Shorty Gras, part music festival and part Carnival ball.

Start: 3:30 p.m. (follows Choctaw)

Theme: “The Music of New Orleans Returns”

Look for: Trombone Shorty is joining the Krewe of Freret parade again this year. A second-line procession is traditionally incorporated into the parade.

Catch it if you can: Freret is known for locally produced throws. Its signature throw is a hand-decorated mask.

Knights of Sparta

The Knights of Sparta present a traditional Carnival procession on the first Saturday of Uptown parades. The krewe’s motto is “Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat,” or “Let He Who Merits The Palm Possess It,” highlighting the Spartan value of achievement through hard work.

The all-female Mystical Order of the Phoenix will join the all-male Knights of Sparta this year, making it a co-ed parade with 500 men and women on 25 floats.

Start: 5;30 p.m.

Theme: “The Art of Making Art”

Look for: Traditional flambeaux carriers light the way. The signature and king’s floats are carried by Clydesdale horses.

Catch it if you can: LED helmets are a signature throw. The Knights also have an annual mystery throw that’s top secret until the parade.

Krewe of Pygmalion

The Krewe of Pygmalion was founded two decades ago by a group of Carnival veterans who wanted to strengthen the parade lineup during the first week of the Mardi Gras parade season.

In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a king of Cyprus and a sculptor who fell in love with one of his works, a woman carved from ivory. Pygmalion’s theme for 2022 brings to life another Greek myth, that of Persephone, the Goddess of the Underworld.

Start: 6:15 p.m. (follows Sparta)

Theme: “The Metamorphosis of Persephone”

Look for: The namesake of a mythological sculptor, this krewe is known for its exquisite, often sensual statuary.

Catch it if you can: Lighted headbands and wands are among the krewe’s throws.

Safety, parking, transportation

As always, take care in large crowds and report suspicious activity to public safety officials.

Parking is restricted along parade routes two hours before and after parades to be sure parade elements and sanitation crews can access the street. Parking personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking. Call 504-658-8100 for parking enforcement. See additional Mardi Gras parking information.

Depending on the parade route, parking may be prohibited on either side of the following streets two hours before and after parades. Follow all posted signs.

• Tchoupitoulas Street from Jackson Ave. to Nashville Avenue
• Napoleon Avenue from Tchoupitoulas to South Claiborne Avenue
• St. Charles Avenue from Napoleon to Canal Street
• Tchoupitoulas from Poydras Street to Calliope Street

Before parades begin or when crowd size warrants, the New Orleans Police Department will close the route to vehicles. Plan ahead and avoid streets that intersect with parades.

Additional intermittent closures will be necessary as parade elements travel across the city. Track the lead and tail of parades as they roll with the parade tracker at routewise.nola.gov.

All RTA service alerts, updates, and detours can also be accessed by downloading the RTA’s GoMobile app. To learn more, visit www.norta.com or call Ride Line at 504-248-3900.