NEW ORLEANS — Parade-goers couldn't have asked for better weather Sunday as parades rolled in Houma, Slidell, and all day in New Orleans. The first major parade weekend of carnival season just wrapped up and there was a lot of excitement, especially on Magazine Street where parades rolled for the first time since 2020.
"It was a great, gorgeous day. So much fun," said Deb Knight who watched Sunday's parades on Magazine Street Uptown.
Robert Gassiot lives on Magazine Street and was ecstatic to see them return in front of his home.
"Friday was awesome, Cleo is always spectacular. Last night the weather was a little bit of a downer, but it was still great and of course the Sunday is awesome," Gassiot said.
"It was absolutely incredible to have the parades back on Magazine," said Michelle Strohe who owns Bella Gifts to Geaux. "Our community has supported us and it has been absolutely amazing."
"It's been such a blessing because for all the small businesses on Magazine, it's been a big push for them," said Kenneth Thompson.
Thompson is the General Manager of Misa, a restaurant that opened on Magazine two and a half years ago.
"The vibe has been great. More family-oriented, a lot of locals, a lot of people in the neighborhood coming out," Thompson said.
That's where Lyndall Johnson from Minnesota watched Sunday's parades.
"To escape the winter," Johnson laughed. "This is the best. The best fun."
While the carnival excitement didn't seem to take a hit, there were a few hiccups as parades returned to Magazine St. Two floats this weekend ran into a tree limb at the start of the route on Magazine St. and Jefferson Ave.
Sunday, a float in the Krewe of King Arthur ran into the branch, but riders pushed it free about 30 minutes later. There didn't appear to be substantial damage to the float.
The same thing happened Saturday during the Krewe of Pygmalion when a float jester lost its head. A rider then fell from the float. Witnesses said he did not appear to be seriously hurt and continued with the ride once they began rolling again about a half hour later
Friday during Cleopatra, the video shows a confetti canon shoot out, then a power outage affected the area. Entergy hasn't confirmed if that's what caused it.
Now after the throws have been swept off the streets, an even longer parade weekend is just days away.
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