Four parades roll on Friday evening—a triple-header Uptown, and one in Slidell.
In New Orleans the Hermes parade is led by its captain on a white horse and masked lieutenants on horseback. The club’s 32 floats are constructed by Kern Studios.
This year’s theme is "The Mystical Isle of Avalon." Look for flambeaux and a new signature float that features an animatronic dragon.
The 852 male maskers will wear lighted costumes. Throws include iridescent doubloons. Appearing are the St. Augustine Marching 100 and the Talladega College Marching Band.
The 545 men of Le Krewe d’Etat follow Hermes with a 24-float satirically themed parade entitled "The Dic Throws D’Bones," which refers to the Dictator, the name by which the men address their leader.
The 25th parade will include the Budweiser Clydesdales. Signature floats include the Candy Wagon and the Dictator’s Banana Wagon, both pulled by mules.
Check out the Dancing Dawlins and the New Orleans Nymphs. Look for the 18th edition of the club’s Carnival Bulletin, which depicts and describes each float. D’Etat was the first to introduce the blinking bead as a Mardi Gras throw.
The Krewe of Morpheus follows with an 800-member co-ed group with the theme "Morpheus Dreams of the Good Life." The parade, led by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, features 24 floats and 18 marching bands from six states. Top throws include hand-decorated sleep masks, plush Morpheus sheep, and special cutout doubloons.
In Slidell, the 24-year old Krewe of Selene holds forth with a 17-float procession titled "Legends of Fact and Fiction." Check out the new LED lighting on the title float.
Selene's 345 female members distribute hand-made decorated purses. WVUE's Shelby Latino rides as Grand Marshal.
Get the latest Mardi-Gras News from Mardi-Gras Guide publisher, Arthur Hardy HERE