Carnival season is in full swing here in New Orleans, and as we approach Mardi Gras, which falls on February 25th this year, the festivities grow ever more elaborate. Here are three of the largest and most popular parades you can catch in the run, up to the 25th:
Endymion. Steps off on Saturday, February 22, at 4:15 P.M. from the corner of City Park Ave and Orleans Ave in Mid-City.
Named for a beautiful mortal beloved of Selene, goddess of the moon, Endymion has been a Carnival staple since 1967. Today, the Krewe of Endymion puts on the biggest Carnival parade, with 37 floats and 3100 riders. The parade doesn’t start till late afternoon, but due to its extraordinary popularity, many spectators will claim their places along the route early in the morning.
Bacchus. Steps off on Sunday, February 23, at 5:15 P.M. from the corner of Tchoupitoulas St and Napoleon Ave in Uptown.
The Roman god of wine, agriculture, and fertility, Bacchus could throw a really wild party. From its floats to its marching bands to its celebrity grand marshals, the Krewe of Bacchus parade lives up to its namesake in every way. The parade, which has been going strong since 1968, today boasts 31 fabulous floats and 1600 members.
Rex. Steps off on Tuesday, February 25, at 10 A.M. from the corner of Napoleon Avenue and S. Claiborne Ave.
The Krewe of Rex, meaning “king,” was established less than a decade after the Civil War in an attempt to boost tourism and encourage new businesses. Rex is responsible for a surprisingly large number of traditions, the most prominent of which are the official purple, green, and gold hues of Carnival. Today, the Krewe of Rex puts on a 600-man parade (and we do mean “man,” as all the riders are male) that steps off just after Zulu.
