The Oshun and Cleopatra parades kicked off the Mardi Gras parade season on Friday, February 6, to lead up to Mardi Gras day on Tuesday, February 17. The Krewe of Oshun is named for the Yoruba goddess of love and intimacy. Cleopatra is the first all-women's krewe, founded in 1972. Here, the Pussyfooters, a marching and dance krewe of about 100 women all over the age of 30, wait to merge with the Cleopatra parade that began at Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas streets.Southern University's band, known as the Human Jukebox, features around 30 tuba players, called the Gold Stallions section. Revelers await the parade start across from us at Ms. Mae's, a 24/7 dive bar on Magazine Street. We're in the neutral ground as it's called in New Orleans, dating back to when the grassy median on Canal Street divided the French-Creole French Quarter from the Anglo-American business district. The neutral ground is a prime spot for lawn chairs, ladders, and tailgating during Mardi Gras parades.Papa Tom with flashing bunny ears.
The Cleopatra parade with 25 floats followed the 18 floats in the Oshun parade. Here, Cleopatra towers above us. The krewe's motto: "Her beauty is timeless, her age is now--forever."
Partial side view of Otis waiting for throws from Cleopatra.
LaWanda with some of her Mardi Gras booty.
Headed back to the car. Yes, people decorate their trees for Mardi Gras. And yes, tree roots buckle many a sidewalk in town.
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