NEW ORLEANS — With banners flying, drums beating, and an enormous dragon puppet glittering, the Krewe of Joan of Arc walked through the French Quarter Saturday night to herald the return of Carnival season.
The parade tells the life story of its namesake, a teenage heroine who drove the British out of many cities, including Orleans, France, during the 100 Years War. Legend has it that Joan heard voices in her head when she was 13 telling her to take up arms. One of the first marching groups of the parade held banners inscribed with what they may have said.
The parade’s queen, Hannah Kreiger-Benson, said she was excited to play a historical figure. “Everyone is absolutely on their game and we are about to have so much fun,” she said before the parade.
The last marching groups depicted her being tried for heresy, burned at the stake, then later forgiven and canonized. There were no real flames– something of an unlucky break for the audience, who were shivering in Saturday night’s below-50-degree wind chill.
Many people in the parade were fine, though, thanks to their elaborate medieval costumes. Rafael Monzon, the parade’s longtime marshall, pointed out that Europe was in something of an ice age during that period. “A lot of the costumes, traditionally, are a lot heavier,” he said.
He told WWL Louisiana that the parade celebrates Joan of Arc’s birthday, believed to be Jan. 6. “There wouldn’t be a New Orleans if she didn't save Orleans,” he said.
The parade selects a young woman to play Joan of Arc in the parade each year. The role is passed on in an elaborate sword ceremony. Marley Marsalis, a high school senior, holds the 2024 title. “I lived in Orleans, France for two years, and by living over there I learned so much about Joan of Arc,” she said.
For the first time, the city also invited a second Joan from Orleans, France, where they hold a similar celebration every year. Clairvie Quesne won a scholarship competition and was flown to New Orleans to walk in the parade, an experience she called “a dream.”
Mardi Gras is Feb. 13 this year, making this the shortest Carnival season in 7 years. Two streetcar krewes, the Phunny Phorty Phellows and the Societe Des Champs Elysee, also kicked off the season with parades Saturday night.
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