Robert Morris, Uptown Messenger file photo
The Organ Grinders dance troupe marches with the Druids in 2017.
The steady weeklong drum beat to Mardi Gras begins tonight, with the Ancient Druids and the Mystic Krewe of Nyx parades.
The all-male Druids and the all-female Nyx are known for delivering barbs back and forth, employing signs on their floats for veiled insults. This friendly rivalry can add a touch of drama to this parade weeknight.
Nyx, however, has been undergoing its own dramas. Its 2022 parade was smaller than the usual extravaganza after a mass exodus from the krewe and a class action suit against its captain in 2020.
One thing both Wednesday night krewes have in common: They keep their theme under wraps until the parade. They also follow the same route, shown below.
The National Weather Service promises a warm winter night with cloud cover and a low around 66 degrees and a south wind. It should be a pleasant night for parades.
Mystic Krewe of Druids
Robert Morris, Uptown Messenger file photo
The Krewe of Ancients Druids “Tree of Life” float rolls on Magazine Street.
The druids of old were learned, upper-class spiritual leaders of Celtic society, dating back to the fourth century BC. In New Orleans, the Druids date back to the 1920s and ’30s, when the Mystic Krewe of Druids held its procession after Rex on Mardi Gras Day.
The Ancient Druids who hold a parade on the Wednesday before Mardi Gras formed in 1998, giving members of other krewes a chance to parade. All of the 250 Druids belong to other Carnival organizations. The parade-only krewe, with no bal masque, is ruled by the Arch Druid, who rides with his jester. The identity of the Arch Druid — or any krewe member, for that matter — is never revealed.
Start: 6:15 p.m. at Jefferson Avenue and Magazine Street
Look for: Flambeaux carriers light the way for this traditional night procession. The Marine Corps Band shows revelers the beauty of precision. Also watch for the special Consultants float.
Catch it if you can: The Druids, presented by the Golden Acorn Society, give out plush acorns as one of its signature throws. The signature lighted wands and wizard hats make the night more magical.
Mystic Krewe of Nyx
Sabree Hill, Uptown Messenger file photo
A Mystic Krewe of Nyx float in the krewe’s inaugural parade.
The Mystic Krewe of Nyx burst onto the Carnival scene in 2012, when the krewe named for the Greek goddess of the night began its reign over Wednesday night. Its first parade had 534 riders, according to the krewe’s website. That number grew exponentially every year, until it became one of the city’s superkrewes with more than 3,400 riders on 44 floats in 2020.
Its 10th anniversary parade had just 240 riders on 17 floats, according to Arthur Hardy’s authoritative Mardi Gras Guide. This year’s parade promises 250 riders on 16 floats.
The 2020 mass exodus began in response to a social media post from Captain Julie Lea that was seen as countering the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Mystic Krewe of Nyx has stated it prides itself on embracing women of diverse backgrounds. Its motto is “Friends come and go, but a sister is forever.”
Start: 7 p.m. (follows Druids) at at Jefferson Avenue and Magazine Street
Look for: The krewe has its own dance troupe, the NOLA Nyxettes, dressed in top hats and tails in Nyx’s signature black and hot pink. Popular local band Bag of Donuts are guest riders.
Catch it if you can: The Nyx signature throw is a glittered and hand-decorated purse.
The route
You can check the parade’s location on the city’s Parade Tracker. Find additional information about Mardi Gras parades at ready.nola.gov/mardi-gras. Text MARDIGRAS to 77295 for updates from the city.
See here for information on parking, driving and getting around. See here to find out where to find out where the porta-potties are located.
