While we were in New Orleans last weekend, we got the chance to go to a Mardi Gras parade. This was my first time experiencing that and it was a lot of fun. I had always heard of the decadent Mardi Gras parades, but found out those really only happen in the French Quarter, where things tend to get a little wild. At the Krewe of Iris parade on St. Charles St., it was all families and lots of colorful characters and children running around. Good family fun! We took mom along to the parade too and it was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for an outing like this.
It was so interesting to see how they get set up for these parades. Â The ladders and boxes come out for the kids to sit on and it’s such a vibrant atmosphere.
There are lots of colorful characters on the streets with crazy costumes, hats and other Mardi Gras memorabilia.
This house was right across the street from where we were sitting and it was just gorgeous.
Lauren and Philip had friends in this house, so it was nice to have a potty break spot, right on St. Charles Ave.
Dressing up for Mardi Gras is a big deal down there, with most everyone sporting purple, gold and green.
It was a sunny day and perfect for a parade. Â Mom and Lauren enjoying the sunshine.
Renee and Parker.
Once the parade started, it was non-stop action coming down the street, from high school bands to all the cars and floats going by.
Of course, collecting beads is a huge part of what everyone is doing and we collected plenty of them ourselves. Â I left all of them in New Orleans though. Â We had a huge sackful of beads.
It was fun seeing all the costumes and pageantry happening in the parade.
The kids on their ladders waiting for beads and other trinkets to be thrown from the parade floats.
The Krewe of Iris Parade.
And the Queen on her float.
Not sure who this lady was in the car.
The craziest sight had to be this one. Â The Elvi float. Â What is an Elvi float, you ask? Â Well, it’s scads of Elvis impersonators zipping by all over the place. Â Elvi = plural Elvis.
See them all!
Elvis on scooters.
Pointing Elvis.
So many Elvi all going by.
He caught me taking his pic.
All the Elvis characters were so hilarious.
This parade is all about parties, from Christmas, to New Years Eve, to baby showers, weddings, graduation, and more.
Each float was filled with many people dressed up in characters and throwing out beads and trinkets.
It was too cute that we caught a pink heart with Iris on the front of it, named after the parade. But, it’s also my mom’s name, so she thought that was really fun and took it home with her. Check out her bead loot!
It was a very fun day and I was so happy to experience my first Mardi Gras parade. It was a blast and I would definitely do it again. Â So many families were there with all the kids and all ages enjoying the sun and all the festivities.
Have you been to a Mardi Gras parade? Â I know many other cities do parades too, but New Orleans has to be the most famous of all.
Looks like a fun, beautiful day! Glad you were all able to have such a fun couple of days together!
“All the Elvi” ……very funny!
Your mom SCORED with the beads! I went to school in NOLA and never missed a Mardi Gras… some were more tame than others, but it was always an amazing time.
xo Heidi
I LOVE the Roling Elvi! They are my fave in the Muses parade. 🙂
*Rolling
I wanted to thank you for the Magazine Street Shopping post several weeks ago!. I just happened upon it when my sister sent your New Orleans posts to me. My husband was at Tulane for 36 years and we lived in the Garden District for 18 of those years. When you left Magazine Street to explore the neighborhood, you managed to snap our house, 1312 Eighth St. Hadn’t seen it since we retired in 1996, and new owners had painted it tan, the shutters red, but I recognized it instantly!@ We had painted it blue, with black shutters. So many memories, so many stories, but no—been there, done that. Anyway, enjoyed it. Thanks, Barbara Thompson
HI, Barbara, that is so cool that you spotted your house on my outing of photographing New Orleans. I love stories like this, thanks for sharing!
You took such a beautiful picture of your sister Renee and her granddaughter Parker!
Rhoda, thank you for sharing these Mardi Gras pictures. I love the step ladders for the kids. I’ve never seen them at parades. Your Mom’s photo is precious and the pink heart was meant for her. I also like Phillip’s bow tie.
I have enjoyed all of your posts on New Orleans. I am actually in NO now but the weather is not cooperating! Yesterday it was very cold and the wind was terrible and tomorrow it is supposed to rain all day! I am headed to Magazine Street now while there is somewhat of a break.
Rhoda,
Your first parade photo happened to capture the Fish Drill Team from Texas A&M University. They are a part of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets – of which my son is a member! They were in town for the annual Mardi Gras Drill Meet which was hosted by Tulane University. They won first place in the competition – for the sixth year in a row! It is one of the largest drill meets in the nation with 40+ universities attending.
So excited to see them in your post.
Sarah
Thank you, Sarah, for chiming in! Congrats to your son and his drill team!
Looks like so much fun! Never been but would love to see a Mardi Gras parade in person!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
What wonderful pictures of the parade and your family! How fun. I was in New Orleans years ago during mardi gras, but we didn’t get to see a parade. Love that heart your mom got too! So fun to see your pictures!!!
I’ve always wanted to go to a Mardi Gras parade, so these pictures were a real treat for me.
I love Parker’s Mardi Gras dress. How sweet.
Also, what a great idea with the ladders for the children. I have never seen that done before.