Rolling tonight: Muses, Babylon, Hermes, d’Etat, Morpheus

It will be an especially Fat Friday on the Uptown parade route tonight, with Krewe of Muses and the Knights of Babylon float-only processions joining the Mystic Krewe of Hermes, Le Krewe d’Etat and the Krewe of Morpheus.

The weather that ousted Muses and Babylon from their usual time slots is expected to calm down. On Friday morning, the National Weather Service was predicting clear skies and 5 to 10 mph winds. The cold air is sticking around though — with a low around 40 — so bundle up to head out to parades.

Krewe of Muses

The first all-female Mardi Gras krewe to parade Uptown at night, the Krewe of Muses has grown into a 1,500 member krewe and a highlight of the parade season. It is beloved not only for its signature throw, the artistically glittered shoe, but for its clever satirical themes and floats. Muses usually has a highly entertaining collection of bands and dance troupes as well, but this year the floats are rolling solo because of the schedule change. The theme is “2020 Visions: NostradaMuse Sees All.”

Watch for: The 2020 Honorary Muse is actor Jennifer Coolidge, a Hollywood mainstay ever since playing Stifler’s mom in American Pie. Look for her riding in the shoe float.
Catch it if you can: The Muses shoe is among the most coveted throws in Carnival, but just about anything this group throws is worth catching and holding onto.

Route: The route, like the parade, has been shortened in the interest of time, beginning at Perrier and Napoleon instead of Jefferson and Magazine.

START: 4:45 p.m. at Perrier Street and Napoleon Avenue
Proceed on Napoleon
Right on St. Charles Ave.
Proceed on St. Charles Ave. around Lee Circle.
Right on Canal St.
Right on Tchoupitoulas St.
END: Tchoupitoulas St. and Poydras St.

Krewe of Babylon

If you want to know what Carnival parades were like in the early 20th century, watch the Knights of Babylon lead the way in the Thursday lineup. The krewe’s 27 floats have the same basic designs and dimensions that they did at the krewe’s inception more than 80 years ago. This year, with the last-minute schedule change, the floats are all revelers will see. Their theme is “Mythological Menagerie,” depicting creatures such as gargoyles, the salamander of the sun, the minotaur and the abominable snowman.

Watch for: A mule-drawn float carries Sargon, Babylon’s monarch named for an ancient king of Assyria (722-705 B.C.) who is reputed to have built the city of Babylon.
Catch it if you can: The signature throws, including koozies, hats and dolls, have a jester theme.
Route:
START: 5:15 p.m. at Napoleon Ave. and Magazine St.
Left on Napoleon Ave.
Right on St. Charles Ave.
Proceed on St. Charles Ave. around Lee Circle.
Right on Canal St.
END: 555 Canal St.

Mystic Krewe of Hermes

Founded in 1937, the steadfast Hermes can boast of being the oldest krewe on the night-parade calendar. Like its namesake, the winged courier of the gods, Hermes delivers its message with pageantry and moves at a disciplined pace. The krewe’s inaugural parade was the first to use neon lighting for its floats. Its parades, with floats designed by Henri Schindler, continue to win awards. The theme this year is “Carnival at the French Opera House.”

Watch for: Hermes is introducing a new signature float, the Argeiphontes. The mythological Hermes was called by this name, which means “slayer of Argus.” Marching groups include the 610 Stompers, and bands include the St. Augustine Marching 100.
Catch it if you can: The Hermes doubloons come in four colors.
Route:
START: 5:30 p.m. at Jefferson Ave. and Magazine St.
Right on Magazine St.
Left on Napoleon Ave.
Right on St. Charles. Ave.
Proceed on St. Charles. Ave. around Lee Circle.
Left on Canal St.
Left on Baronne St.
END: Baronne & Canal St.

Le Krewe d’Etat

This all-male krewe known for its sharp satirical floats has this warning to its followers from its leader, The Dictator: “The Dictator assures his denizens that no rank or office is immune from his wit.” The 24 d’Etat floats have traditional beauty as well as wit. The Dictator’s Banana Wagon is pulled by mules, and the captain and lieutenants ride on horseback throughout the parade.

Watch for: The Skeleton Krewe leads the parade handing out D’Etat Gazette, a fold-out guide to the floats.
Catch it if you can: D’Etat was the first krewe to throw lighted blinking beads; its signature throw has a blinking skull. Other prized throws are a stuffed gargoyle and glow-in-the-dark beads with flashing green eyes.

Route:
START: 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Ave. and Magazine St.
Right on Magazine St.
Left on Napoleon Ave.
Right on St. Charles. Ave.
Proceed on St. Charles. Ave. around Lee Circle.
Right on Canal St.
END: 555 Canal St.

Krewe of Morpheus

New Orleanians have been closing out Fat Friday with Morpheus, named for the goddess of dreams, since 2000. The theme for its 20th year is “Morpheus Dreams of Aquatic Adventures.” The krewe has more than 750 male and female riders on 24 floats.

Watch for: A new title float features state-of-the-art lighting.
Catch it if you can: Morpheus’ new signature throw is a hand-decorated sleep mask. Other signature throws include LED sleepy time hats and plush sheep, moons, pillows and bears.

Route:
START: 7 p.m. at Jefferson Ave. and Magazine St.
Right on Magazine St.
Left on Napoleon Ave.
Right on St. Charles Ave.
Proceed on St. Charles Ave. around Lee Circle.
Right on Canal St.
Right on Tchoupitoulas St.
END: Tchoupitoulas St. and Poydras St.

Safety, parking, transportation

As always, take care in large crowds and report suspicious activity to public safety officials. See additional information about Mardi Gras parades at ready.nola.gov/mardi-gras or text MARDIGRAS to 888777 for updates from the city of New Orleans.

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

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.