Mardi Gras

Iris can see clearly now in 2020 (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of Iris viewed Uptown through rose-colored glasses as over 3,000 all-female members tossed their signature, hand-decorated sunglasses from 34 floats. Founded in 1917, Iris is the oldest female Carnival krewe in New Orleans and this year celebrated the largest membership in its history. Rolling with the theme “Iris Sees 20/20,” the parade featured 37 marching units, including bands from five states and the ever popular Krewe of Rolling Elvi, Fat City Drum Corps and Amelia EarHarts. Float riders tossed plush fringe skirts, super-hero capes, king cake babies, fanny packs and paddle ball sets. John Theriot and Rebecca Russo reigned as king and queen.

Mardi Gras

Rolling today: Iris and Tucks

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The sun is expected to shine on today’s Uptown parades, Iris and Tucks. The National Weather Service attributes the clear, dry weather to “a deep layer ridge axis and associated negative
vorticity advection,” but we believe it’s the Krewe of Iris’ special relationship with the goddess of the skies. During the Krewe of Tucks parade, however, expect a steady rain of toilet paper over the route. Temperatures will be cooler than average, with predicted highs only in the upper 50s. Krewe of Iris

The Krewe of Iris, founded in 1917,  paved the way for all-female krewes.

Mardi Gras

Morpheus dreams of adventure at Uptown parade (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of Morpheus’ 20th annual parade rolled Friday (Feb. 21) through Uptown with the theme “Morpheus Dreams of Aquatic Adventures.” The krewe’s 800 male and female members riding 24 floats were joined by marching bands from six states. This year’s royalty are Jacques Legrand and Shari Fisher. Throws included plus Morpheus sheep, moons and sleepy time bears.

Mardi Gras

Krewe d’Etat rolls Uptown with satirical style (photo gallery)

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Le Krewe d’Etat presented its 24th annual parade Friday (Feb. 21) following the traditional Uptown route. The parade included 24 satirical floats with the theme “The Dic Goes to Mardi Gras,”  referring to The Dictator. Marching bands and walking clubs joined the 545 all-male krewe. Throws included footballs, Dictator hats, lighted flambeaux beads and blinking gargoyle beads.

Mardi Gras

Hermes parade lights up Uptown (photo story)

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The Mystic Krewe of Hermes rolled through Uptown Friday (Feb.21) with the caption leading the parade on a white horse. The parade, entitled “Carnival at the French Opera House,” featured 827 male members wearing lighted, color-coordinated costumes on 32 floats interspersed with flambeaux, lieutenants on horseback, marching bands and walking clubs. Throws included the popular lighted Hermes winged headbands.

Mardi Gras

Babylon rolls through Uptown a day late with only floats (photo gallery)

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The Knights of Babylon celebrated their 81st anniversary with a parade through Uptown on Friday (Feb. 21), with  27 floats and 15 lieutenants on horseback. The club was to roll Thursday but high winds and the chance of rain resulted in a day delay. Originally known as the Jesters Club, Babylon retains the jester as its symbol, with a jester float and throws such as jester koozies and lighted jester hats along with the club’s new signature throw, an LED jester on a stick. The identity of the king, called Sargon, is never revealed to the public, and the queen’s identity is not know until parade day.

Mardi Gras

Muses rolls with fine weather after delay (photo gallery)

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After being canceled Thursday due to high winds, the Krewe of Muses’s 20th anniversary parade rolled Friday (Feb. 21) through Uptown with 29 floats following the theme “2020 Visions: NostradaMuse Sees All.”  The all-female krewe adopted a green philosophy this year tossing “reMuseable” throws. New throws included car magnets, custom cocktail napkins, lighted shoe headbands and spinning ducks. The most coveted item was of course the hand-decorated glitter and bedazzled Muses shoe handed out by float riders.

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

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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.

Mardi Gras

Parades canceled tonight; Muses and Babylon roll Friday, Chaos rolls Sunday

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Tonight’s parades have been canceled as high winds associated with a cold front were predicted to move into the area, the New Orleans Police Department announced Thursday afternoon. The krewes of Babylon, Chaos, and Muses will be rescheduled to roll throughout the Carnival weekend as floats-only parades. 
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Orleans Parish that is in effect from 6 p.m. this evening through 6 a.m. Friday (Feb. 21). Sustained winds between 15 and 25 mph, with frequent gusts up to 35 mph, are expected. Winds at this speed pose a danger to high profile vehicles, such as floats.

Mardi Gras

Nyx 2020 rolls Uptown (photo gallery)

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The Mystic Krewe of Nyx has planned 44 magical floats for its 2020 parade, with marching bands and dance clubs totaling more than 120 units. The parade was cut short, however, by a tragedy on the route. Sandra Nix reigned as Goddess Nyx IX and musician Amanda Shaw served as grand marshal. A special float and throw paid tribute to the late Nancy Parker of Fox 8 TV.