Lots of elements go into Mardi Gras parades, including some unique marching groups. Here's a guide to who's who along the parade route:
610 STOMPERS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2009
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 133 Stompers and 69 Splits (Our Security)
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - We’ve danced in the Macy’s Day Parade twice and we are headed back to the Kentucky Derby for the second time this year
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - We only throw dance moves
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Poseidon (Slidell), Carrollton, Nyx, Hermes, Thoth, Zulu
AMAZONS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2012
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 32
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - We wear custom-made breastplates and carry 21-inch swords! We are fierce!
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - Our throws are specially handmade Warrior Aprons decorated with our symbol
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - We will host our own parade on Lundi Gras, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. starting at Washington Square Park on Elysian Fields, up Esplanade ending at St. Augustine Church.
AMELIA EARHAWTS & CABIN KREWE
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - Oct. 2014
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 158 (includes Hawts & Cabin Krewe)
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - Did you know Amelia Earhart stayed at our Lakefront airport before her final flight? Club Founders were members of Krewe of Venus. Da Hawts assisted in a wedding proposal on the route last year - she said yes. Cabin Krewe includes Fly Boys & Fly Girls -pilots
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - Foam airplanes & wings
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Poseidon, Cleopatra, King Arthur, Druids, Knights of Babylon & Iris.
Bast Alpha Garrison/ The 501st Legion
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2006
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 100 statewide
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - State chapter of the 501st Legion Star Wars costuming group with over 12,000 volunteer members worldwide. We are the “Bad Guys Doing Good” through charity and community work.
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Caesar and Tucks in New Orleans, Artemis and South Downs in Baton Rouge, and Rio in Lafayette.
BLACK STORYVILLE BABY DOLLS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2015
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 6
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - We carry on a 106-year-old black Mardi Gras tradition. The first baby dolls came out of Black Storyville, the same neighborhood as Louis Armstrong in 1912
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - Our special throws are cigars which the first dolls smoked openly in public and black roses to pay homage to those first women.
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - We can be seen in our own parade on Mardi Gras Day. First, we start with the Skull and Bones Gang at 5 a.m. at Back Street Cultural Museum the begin our own secondline with our own 10 piece band at 830am at Back Street wandering through the Treme and French Quarter.
CAMEL TOE LADY STEPPERS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2003
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 65
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - We are the only dance troupe to change our costume every year to reflect a theme selected upon by our membership. Past themes and costumes have included Incogni-TOE, Toe-Bots, Ma-Toe-Dors, Camel Toe Cha Cha, Toes in Da Nile, and Nasty Women: Camel Toe World Tour.
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - The Camel Toe Lady Steppers signature throw are our "Floozies," decorated koozies that feature each year's theme!
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - : You can catch us for our practice march on Sunday, February 4th in the French Quarter at 11 a.m. and in Muses on Thursday, February 8th.
Crescent City Dames
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2012
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 90+
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - Crescent City Dames bead corsets per an annual theme. The theme for 2018 is Naturally N’awlins to honor the 300th Anniversary of NOLA and Frank Davis.
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - Logo beads, bracelets, koozies and decorated cups
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Beginning noon Feb. 9 in the French Quarter
DAMES de PERLAGE
- YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2013
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 60
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT: We handbead our own corsets, headdresses and bustles, making a new costume every year based on that year's theme. 2018: "Looking Back, Marching Forward!" AND we march with a live brass band: Big Fun Brass Band
- We are currently being exhibited at the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes in the French Quarter through April 2018
- SPECIAL THROW(s): Beaded bracelets and necklaces
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Freret - 2/3, Krewe of King Arthur - 2/4,
Krewe of Oak - 2/9, Krewe of Tucks - 2/10, Dame Fine Second Line - 2/12 (French Quarter)
THE DANCE CONNECTION
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 1979
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 40
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - TDC was the very first dance team to debut in Mardi Gras using the mobile sound system. 2019 will mark our 40th Year Anniversary. Our motto is “UNITY…Through Dance and Friendship”
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - We throw awesome dance moves
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Poseidon, Lil Rascals, Excalibur, Pontchartrain, Caesar, Carrollton, Nyx, Centurions, Tucks, Corps de Napoleon, and the Italian American Parade
Disco Amigos
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2012
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 99, including members in a new Birmingham, AL chapter
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - The Disco Amigos are a co-ed social aid and boogie club bringing "DISCO POWER" to New Orleans in 2018! We host a rolling "Disco Train" party during each parade that allows non-members to participate with us as we groove along the route.
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - Cups, koozies, and 7" vinyl records
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Olympia, Carrollton, Nyx, Tucks, and Napoleon
KREWE DES FLEURS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2014
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 35
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT: With the guidance of a local expert sculptor who has designed an annual costume prototype, each Fleur chooses and executes a unique color and embellishment design for her flower grown from her own inspiration.
- SPECIAL THROW(s): 1) Seed Beads- A wildflower bead ready to be planted in your own home garden; 2) Upcycled paper flowers on magnets and hairclips; 3) Collector's wooden nickle doubloons with our logo and the year
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Cleopatra; Krewe of Iris; Krewe of Mid City
KREWE OF KING JAMES
- YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2014
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 35
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT: Founded by DJ Soul Sister, the Krewe of King James takes it to the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras to spread the mission of James Brown, Soul Brother #1, to "get up offa that thing."
Our "Going Green" Sustainability Pledge promises that our throws will not use microplastics (like glitter) or plastic gems. We reduce our use of plastic adhesives, and upcycle recycled plastics into art. Our trows are either upcyclyed or biodegradable. And we make creative, handmade, intentional throws that have some type of utility or will be treasured as works of art.
- SPECIAL THROW(s): Hand-decorated 45 vinyl records, and other upcycled and handmade throws.
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: n/a
LUCHA KREWE
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2014
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 25
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT: Lucha Krewe is a co-ed dancing krewe inspired by Mexican Professional Wrestling (aka Lucha Libre) and Latin-American/Caribbean music and style.
- SPECIAL THROW(s): The only thing giving out is broken hearts and the only thing we're taking is your breath away.
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Freret, Mystical Krewe of Druids, Krewe of Dead Beans
LUCHA KREWE from David LeBlanc on Vimeo.
MANDE MILKSHAKERS
- ESTABLISHED: 2017
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 48
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT: As the Northshore's First Women's Marching Group, the Mande Milkshakers promote our four pillars of fun, fitness, friendship and philanthropy by encouraging women to embrace their shapes, step outside their comfort zones, and give back to the community through philanthropic efforts. In our first year, the Mande Milkshakers raised over $10,000 for Miracle League Northshore, participated in 8 community events, and founded the Mande Independence Day Parade for the city of MANDEVILLE on the lakefront.
- SPECIAL THROW(s):
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Poseidon, Krewe of Eve, Krewe of Pygmalion, Original Krewe of Orpheus, and the Krewe of Mardi Paws parades.
THE MUFF-a-LOTTAS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2009
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 55
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT: We only dance to classic oldies with New Orleans connections. Our playlist includes Ernie K Doe, Fats Domino, The Dixie Cups, Shirley Ellis, and much more!
- SPECIAL THROW(s): Scarves, cat eye sunglasses, and special beads.
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Cleopatra, Pontchartrain, Nyx, and Tucks.
NEW ORLEANS BABY DOLL LADIES
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2005
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 25
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: We are the only "dancing" crew with its own officially sanctioned walking Parade route, as of Mardi Gras 2016.
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S): Baby Doll Ladies Bracelets, Beads
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: We appear in The New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies Mardi Gras Day Walking Parade
Route Details: START 7:35a.m.- 1135 Washington Ave. (Old Firehouse Museum)
*Head northwest on Washington Ave toward Prytania St,
*Turn right onto St Charles Ave; Proceed on St. Charles
*Greet Mayor at Gallier Hall for our master dance performance
*Turn left onto Canal St,
*U-Turn On Canal St. with sharp Left on Bourbon Street; Proceed down Bourbon to St. Peter
*Turn Left on St. Peter; Proceed down St. Peter, turn right on Rampart St
END - Henriette Delile At Backstreet Cultural MuseuM, (Treme Neighborhood)
NOLA CHERRY BOMBS
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2011
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 47
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: • We choreograph dances and marches to music with an edgy, fierce vibe with specifically female-driven vocals. All of our songs are by female artists or bands with a strong female voice. We choose songs that are positive and empowering, avoiding those that may have a negative or derogatory message.
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S):
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: You can catch us in King Arthur (2/4), Muses (2/8), and Iris (2/10)
NOLA JEWELS
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2016
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 25
DISTINGUISHING FUN FACTS: The NOLA Jewels is a 1920's inspired Dance Group. Dressed like flappers, we will shake our fringe and dance in the streets of New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras.
SPECIAL THROWS: We throw kisses!
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Alla (2/4), Krewe of Morpheus (2/9)
NOLA NYXETTES
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2013
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 33
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: A distinguishing fact about us is that we are not a marching club or a walking crew, we are a true dance team. We hold auditions and practice rigorously throughout the year. Our choreography is far more complex than any other marching club or walking group in the area. We perform not only in parades, but at various Mardi Gras balls and a Pelicans game each year. Many other teams are not as selective, and do not perform at other events. That is what sets us apart from marching/walking clubs. We don't just march, we dance!
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S):
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Freret, Arthur, Nyx, Iris, Thoth, Zulu
NOLA SHOWGIRLS
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2013
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 18
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: Something interesting about us is that we've appeared in a bunch of TV shows, movies, and even a professional music video by an award-winning director. We've also appeared in commercials for Toyota and TurboTax.
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S):
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018:
THE OUI DATS
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2014
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 25
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: Our motto: Classy, Sassy, and a little Smarta**y
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S):
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Alla, Krewe of Morpheus, and Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws
THE PUSSYFOOTERS
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2001
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 100+
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: Pussyfooters have led the way for the recent boom in women's and men's marching groups but note, we were not the first! Our inspiration came from the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies.
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S): We bring the party to the streets!
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Cleopatra, Femme Fatal, Nyx, Muses and Thoth
RITMEAUX KREWE
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2016
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 30
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: First Ever Latin Dance Marching Group!
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S):
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: Krewe of Driftwood (Kenner), Krewe of Centurions (Metairie), Krewe of Athena (Metairie), Mardi Gras Mambo (2/2), Krewe of Amazons (2/12)
ROUX LA LA
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2010
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 32
DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACTS: We aren’t named after the female anatomy, we like to be tongue in cheek - never take yourself too seriously, and we change our Mardi Gras theme every year (different costumes, music, dance moves)
SPECIAL HANDOUT(S)/ THROW(S): Theme koozies and decorated wooden spoons
PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018: King Arthur, Nyx, Morpheus, Thoth
SIRENS of NEW ORLEANS
- YEAR ESTABLISHED - 2010
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS - 170
- DISTINGUISHING OR FUN FACT - This year we have raised $11,000 for local charities and logged close to 750 volunteer hours.
- SPECIAL THROW(s) - Message in a Bottle
- PARADES WHERE WE CAN SEE YOU IN 2018 - Cleopatra, Nyx, and d'Etat
