FrenchQuarter.com: 2005 Mardi Gras Parade Line-up

2005 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

The 2005 Mardi Gras downtown parade season gets going approximately two weeks before Fat Tuesday when the Krewes of Oshun and Pygmalion roll on the evening of Friday January 28. Daytime parades march on the two weekends, and nighttime parades roll every evening until Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday February 8. French Quarter visitors can easily walk to Canal Street to watch the parades or find a spot along St. Charles Avenue to enjoy the glitz and spectacle not to mention the torrent of beads, doubloons, cups, krewe throws, bikinis, coconuts and the occasional commode. Plenty of other parades roll during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day, but they follow suburban routes in Metairie or on the West Bank and are far from the French Quarter.

Oshun & Pygmalion
Friday, January 28, 2005 - 6:30 p.m.
Start off Mardi Gras with the first parades to march down St. Charles Avenue. Oshun, named for the African goddess of Love, proudly displays their peacock mascot, while the Krewe of Pygmalion continues to aspire towards super-krewe status with their elaborate costumes.

Pontchartrain & Shangri La
Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 12:00 noon
The Krewe of Pontchartrain is proudly named to honor the lake that borders New Orleans. Mr. Mudbug, their crawfish-themed float, is a crowd favorite. Shangri La is an all-female Krewe with unique throws such as sequined dragons and Shangri La bikinis.

Sparta & Pegasus
Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.
The Knights of Sparta procession features “flambeau”, or torch, carriers and an old-line, mule-drawn float for their King. Wooden horseshoes are the coveted throw of the Krewe of Pegasus, as well as stuffed versions of the mythological beast.

Carrollton, King Arthur & Bards
Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 12:00 noon
Founded in 1924, the Krewe of Carrollton is Mardi Gras’ third-oldest parading krewe. The Knights of King Arthur features floats for Queen Guinevere, Merlin the Magician the Castle of Camelot, where the Bards of Bohemia would have felt right at home, being the storytellers of ancient Europe.

Druids & Morpheus
Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.
The Ancient Druids are a secretive group, not announcing their theme until the parade day and never revealing the identity of their patriarch, the “Archdruid”. The Krewe of Morpheus, named for the winged god of dreams, throws sleeping caps and stuffed moons.

Saturn & Muses
Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.
The Krewe of Saturn is a satirical parade featuring the “Fat Lady” float with collectible throws. Other throws include Saturn beads and bobble-headed dolls. Muses is an all-female Krewe which has put on award-winning displays since beginning in 2000. Throws are of a definite feminine nature and include mirrors, shoes, combs, purses and other fun “girlie” goodies.

Babylon & Chaos
Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 5:45 p.m.
Both the Knights of Babylon and the Knights of Chaos are very secretive, traditional parading groups. Chaos is a satirical Krewe featuring classic smaller floats. The anonymous “King Sargon” of Babylon arrives in a mule-drawn throne.

Hermes & D'Etat
Friday, February 4, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.
The Friday before Mardi Gras features the very traditional and punctual procession of the Krewe of Hermes, the oldest night-parading krewe. The cutting-edge satire of Le Krewe d’Etat is always a crowd pleaser, with innovative and fun throws such as glowing gargoyles.

Iris & Tucks
Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 11:30 a.m.
Established in 1917, the Krewe of Iris is the oldest all-female carnival group in New Orleans. Named for the goddess of the rainbow, throws include Iris embroidered stuffed animals and ceramic beads. The irreverent Krewe of Tucks puts on a humorous parade, which includes a float of a giant toilet and Tucks-embossed toilet paper throws.

Endymion
Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
The Krewe of Endymion brings a Mardi Gras extravaganza to the biggest crowds of the season. Taking its name from the god of fertility, Endymion features the grandest of floats, the most plentiful of throws and a celebrity Grand Marshall. 2,000 riders will be tossing long beads, key chains, bobble-headed Endymion dolls and stuffed blinky bear dolls.

Okeanos, Thoth & Mid City
Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 11:00 a.m.
The Krewe of Okeanos honors the Greek god of oceans and fertile valleys. Following is the Krewe of Thoth, named for the Egyptian god of wisdom. Favorite floats include “Tut’s Tomb” with pyramid medallion bead throws. The Krewe of Mid-City brings a one-of-a-kind sparkle to St. Charles Avenue with floats decorated entirely in brightly colored tinfoil.

Bacchus
Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 5:15 p.m.
“Bacchagator”, “Bacchasaurus” and “King Kong” are among the favorites in the Krewe of Bacchus parade celebration. Named after the god of wine and presenting a celebrity King, Bacchus brings fun and revelry to the streets of New Orleans. Over a million strings of beads will be thrown from the festive floats.

Proteus & Orpheus
Monday, February 7, 2005 - 5:15 p.m.
Founded in 1882, the Krewe of Proteus is among the oldest and most traditional carnival groups in the city. Harry Connick Jr.’s Krewe of Orpheus always embraces a musical theme. Artistic and whimsical floats include the mighty “Leviathan” dragon, with the coveted stuffed Leviathan doll throw.

Zulu, Rex, Elks & Crescent City
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 8:30 a.m.
Mardi Gras Day starts out with the Zulu parade. Characters such as “Mr. Big Stuff” and the “Witch Doctor” bequeath the most-prized golden coconuts to those who are truly lucky. Other throws include medallions, spears, and an abundance of stuffed animals and toys for the little ones. Following Zulu is “King of Carnival” Rex, the oldest and most venerable Krewe in New Orleans. Founders of the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power), Rex reigns over Mardi Gras with beauty and generosity. Finishing up the day are the Truck Krewes of Elks and Crescent City.