Mardi Gras

Ancient Druids reign over Uptown with rain theme (photo gallery)

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The 22nd annual Krewe of Ancient Druids parade rolled Wednesday (Feb. 19) with 250 male members on 18 floats. The “Druids Rain” theme was seen in float titles such as “When it Rains it Pours,” “Come Rain or Shine,” and “Saving for a Rainy Day.” Riders tossed a variety of lighted throws, including wands, beads and clappers. Plush golden acorns and a special gold doubloon in the shape of an acorn were handed out in recognition of the Golden Acorn Society, which sponsors the club’s carnival activities.

Ancient Druids

Rolling tonight: Ancient Druids, Mystic Krewe of Nyx

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The two krewes leading the march tonight into the final week of the season represent the old line and new wave in Carnival krewes. The night opens with the Ancient Druids, a highly secretive all-male krewe that limits its members to Carnival veterans who parade with other krewes. The Druids are followed by the Mystic Krewe of Nyx, an exuberant all-female group that has grown quickly to become the youngest superkrewe. The parades follow the same route (shown below), starting on Jefferson and Magazine and turning on Napoleon before rolling on St. Charles Avenue into the CBD.

Mardi Gras

King Arthur takes its 20th legendary ride through Uptown (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of King Arthur parade rolled Sunday (Feb. 16) with 1,750 male and female members riding on more than 50 floats. The theme of the 43rd parade was “20 Years in Downtown New Orleans.” The krewe was organized in 1977 as a West Bank group, moving their parade to New Orleans in 2001. William Linzy reigned as King Arthur XLIII and Jennifer Frazier as Queen Guinevere XLIII. High school marching band and walking clubs, including the Amelia Earhawts, the NOLA Cherry Bombs and Ain’t Misbehavin’ Social Club.

Mardi Gras

Carrollton rolls in a rainbow of colors (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of Carrollton rolled through Uptown Sunday (Feb. 16) with floats decorated in a rainbow of colors representing this year’s them “Color My World.” The captain and lieutenants led the parade on horseback with the 575-member male krewe riding 27 floats. High school marching bands and dance groups, including the infamous 610 Stompers and Pussyfooters, participated in the parade, which is one of the oldest to roll in New Orleans. Erik Youngblood and Katherine Wood reigned as King and Queen Carrollton XCVI. Some of the coveted throws were coloring books, playing cards, Carrollton medallion beads and the ever-popular decorated shrimp boot.

Mardi Gras

Femme Fatale parade spreads the love (photo gallery)

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The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale’s seventh annual parade rolled almost an hour late Sunday (Feb. 16) to avoid the worst of the rain. A loyal crowd dressed in rain gear lined the route as over 750 female krewe members tossed coveted Cherchez La Femme signature beads, sunglasses, light wands and lip-shaped flasks. The most sought-after throw was the bedazzled mirror compact. Floats followed the love songs parade theme with float titles such as Lovebug, Higher Love, Vision of Love and Endless Love.

Mardi Gras

Rolling today: Femme Fatale, Carrollton, King Arthur

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Rain came down Sunday morning as krewes, marching groups and parade aficionados prepared for the final day of the first weekend of Uptown parades. The National Weather Service put Sunday morning’s precipitation chance at 100% — not the best odds. But there is hope — the rain is expected to clear out in the afternoon, with warmer temps and a remaining chance of isolated showers only. Femme Fatale

The all-female krewe is presenting its seventh parade with the theme “The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Presents Love Songs.” One of the grand marshals for this year is an expert in that area: R&B singer Wanda Rouzan.

Mardi Gras

Pygmalion travels to Italy by way of Uptown (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of Pygmalion rolled Uptown Saturday (Feb. 15) with 550 male and female members aboard 25 floats. “Viaggia In Italia” (Travel to Italy) was the theme of the 21st annual parade which also included marching bands and dance groups. Cary Oswald and Kalli Mercer reigned as King and Queen Pygmalion XXI. Float riders tossed lighted themed logo beads, wands, Venetian masks, roses and bracelets.

Mardi Gras

Knights of Sparta rolls Uptown with the theme ‘On the Street Where You Live’ (photo gallery)

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The Knights of Sparta rolled Saturday (Feb. 15) with the theme “On the Street Where You Live.” The 300 knights rode 17 floats named after famous streets such as Via Veneto in Rome, Avenue de Champs Elysees in Parish and St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. The captain and officers rode horseback. Fabian Errol Miller and Shannon Barbara Garrety reigned as King and Queen.

Mardi Gras

Freret fills Uptown with the music of New Orleans (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of Freret rolled their seventh parade Saturday (Feb. 15) with the theme “The Music of New Orleans.” The 18-float parade featured a dozen super floats, including one with a two-story Trombone Shorty figure with a moving slide. The 500-member male and female club plans for a gradual transformation into a superkrewe. Float riders tossed their signature hand-crafted masks along with blinking logo beads, black and gold sunglasses and tambourines. Hans Gerwitz and Holly Alvendia reigned as king and queen.

Mardi Gras

Choctaw parties like it was 1999 during daytime parade (photo gallery)

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The Krewe of Choctaw rolled Uptown Saturday (Feb. 15) with the theme “Party Like It’s 1999.” The krewe’s 85th parade featured 16 floats, marching bands and walking clubs. The 275 men, women and children riding floats tossed Choctaw’s collectible doubloons, plush spears and tomahawks, logo beads, cups and the coveted, painted wooden tomahawks decorated by krewe members. Chief Choctaw Ricky DeCastro Jr. and his Princess Kristen DeCastro Sepulveda reigned this year.