Rolling tonight: Oshun, Cleopatra parades

The Uptown parade season begins tonight with the krewes of Oshun and Cleopatra. The National Weather Service has predicted a slight (20 percent) chance of rain with lows around 69 degrees.

Oshun

The Krewe of Oshun, named for the Yoruba goddess for love and sensuality, was formed in 1996. Despite its namesake, the krewe prides itself on presenting a family-friendly parade. Its king, or Shango, rides on a peacock float, and peacocks images are also prominent in the krewe’s throws. Watch for Baby Doll groups in this parade.

START: 6 p.m. at Napoleon Street and Magazine Street
Parade follows Napoleon to St. Charles Avenue. At Canal Street, it turns right toward the river.
END:  Tchoupitoulas Street and Poydras Street

Cleopatra

The Krewe of Cleopatra follows Oshun, closing out the first night of parades. Cleopatra’s 46th annual parade rolls with the theme “Animated Adventures,” with floats, unique throws and costume inspired by pop-culture’s most influential animated movies, cartoon characters, comic book heroes and video games. The theme prominently features an animated Queen Cleopatra as a modern day comic book superhero to protect New Orleans from villains and bad guys.

START: 6:30 p.m. at Magazine and Jefferson Avenue
Parade takes Magazine to Napoleon before turning on St. Charles Avenue.
END: Tchoupitoulas and Poydras

For need-to-know parade day information, see here.  For parking and transportation information, see here.