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PHOTOS: New Orleans shows out for Bacchus, Endymion parades [1]
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Date: 2025-03-05
On Mardi Gras, members of the North Side Skull and Bone Gang donned their skeletons and marched through Treme before dawn, attended by a crowd of early morning revelers.
Despite the threat of strong winds, crowds also flocked to this year’s Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade on Tuesday (March 4). The theme this year for one of the city’s most established, predominantly Black krewes was “Zulu from Africa to the Big Easy.”
Officials altered the route and limited some usual elements, including bands and marchers, due to weather concerns. Riders still tossed coveted coconuts and other throws to paradegoers as Zulu rolled early Tuesday morning.
Check out sights from North Side Skull and Bone Gang, Zulu parade.
A Zulu float rolls down Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Zulu paradegoers reach for throws on Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
This year’s Zulu parade began around 6:30 am on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 due to concerns over heavy winds. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
President of Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club Elroy A. James walks down Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Drum majors with Craigmont High School in Memphis, Tennessee lead the marching band down Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025.
Riders in this year’s Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade roll down Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray
A drum major for Mississippi Valley State University’s marching band directs the band to play a song on Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
From left, Carla Greenlee, Marilyn Amar, Diary Stokes and Ryland Cavalier watch the Zulu parade on Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A Zulu parade float turns onto Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Twin brothers Braydan Gibbs (left) and Bryson Gibbs watch Zulu roll down Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Nijha Williams (right) and Breion Johnson try to catch a throw as the Krewe of Zulu parade travels down Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club Parade Marshal James Gilford III stands in front of barricades on Poydras Street on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A crowd watches the Zulu parade in front of Le Pavillon hotel on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Crowds fill Poydras Street as the Zulu parade concludes on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Members of the North Side Skull and Bone Gang stand in the Church of I Am That I Am ahead of their wake up call on Bayou Road on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. The tradition dates back to the early 19th century. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Members of the North Side Skull and Bone Gang exit the Church of I Am That I Am ahead of their wake up call on Bayou Road on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. The tradition dates back to the early 19th century. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
The Northside Skull and Bone Gang began its procession around 5 a.m. in Treme on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Hundreds gather to follow the North Side Skull & Bone Gang’s procession, which began on Bayou Road and traveled throughout the surrounding neighborhood in Treme on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Members of the crowd dance alongside the North Side Skull & Bone gang underneath the I-10 Expressway on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
The North Side Skull & Bone Gang procession moves down Bayou Road, underneath the I-10 Expressway on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. The gang sang songs that served as reminders of the inevitability of death. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Laveau Contraire performs on Napoleon Avenue ahead of Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Talladega College marching band drum majors on Tchoupitoulas Street before they begin their march in Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
(Right to left) Kevin Dowell, Jaicee Ross, Keona Davis, Janiyah Spencer, Deenaishia Taylor and Elijah Kent take a break between songs in the parking lot of Rouse’s on Tchoupitoulas Street on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. They are members of Craigmont High School’s marching band. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
(Left to right) Raymond Delaney, Jermel Bates and Djuan Allen reconnect on Tchoupitoulas Street before the bands line up to march in Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. All three originally met while working at Orleans Parish Sheriff Department. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
People gather in front of 45 Tchoup before Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Edna Karr’s band director, Christopher Herro, arrives at the parking lot of Rouses Market on Tchoupitoulas Street on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Edna Karr was one of many bands to compete in pre-parade battles in the parking lot. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Bryand McIntosh watches Mississippi Valley State University’s band perform on Tchoupitoulas Street before Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. His daughter graduated from Southern University and was a woodwind player in Southern’s marching band, the Human Jukebox.
A drum major for McDonogh 35’s marching band helps conduct the band as they perform in a pre-parade battle in the Rouses Market parking lot on Tchoupitoulas Street on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A St. Augustine high school’s drum major stands at attention, ready to bring his band to playing position to respond to Craigmont high school’s song in their battle in the Rouses Market parking lot on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A Talladega College drum major conducts the band during a pre-parade performance on Tchoupitoulas Street on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Mississippi Valley University drum majors show off for parade goers at the start of Krewe of Bacchus on Tchoupitoulas Street on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Avery Robinson captured the hearts of parade goers in his Southern University drum major costume before Krewe of Bacchus rolled down Napoleon Avenue on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Robinson was able to meet Southern University’s drum major, Kel Oakley, before they marched down Napoleon Avenue on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A crowd of parade goers record the Roots of Music youth band march down Tchoupitoulas Avenue on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Princess Ferrand dances to the sounds of Talladega College’s Great Tornado Band as they march down Napoleon Avenue in Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A float turns onto Napoleon Avenue at the start of Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
(Left to right) Aundrea Harris, Tiana Swain and Jae Anderson watch floats roll past them on Tchoupitoulas Avenue on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A crowd of parade goers gathered in front of Tipitina’s to watch Krewe of Bacchus on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Jayson Anderson racks up beads at the start of Krewe of Bacchus in front of Tipitina’s on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
The Baccha-Amoré rolls down Tchoupitoulas Avenue while the Roots of Music youth band turns onto Napoleon Avenue on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A float operates hypes up the crowd as he drives down Carrollton Avenue during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Thaddeus Augillard (left) poses for a photo with Robbins Murray on Carrollton Avenue during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Augillard is the coach for St. Mary’s auxiliary unit and coached Murray when she attended the school. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Alcorn State University drum majors perform on Carrollton Avenue during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A crowd watches Krewe of Endymion pass down Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Brooke Lavatt (left) and Ava Cambre reach for throws as Krewe of Endymion passes them on Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A euphonium player for Texas Southern University marches down Carrollton Avenue during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A snare drummer for St. Paul’s marching band marches down Carrollton Avenue during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Amelia Canary wears a skull mask during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray
A member of Lane College’s color guard marches down Carrollton Avenue during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Members of Texas Southern University’s color guard relax and rehydrate during a break in the parade on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Nicholas Bradford (left) spends time with his dad Roberto Bradford on a neutral ground on Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A tuba player for Lane College stands at attention on Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A bass drummer for Lane College stands at attention on Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Pam Balsly carries her dog Cheney while James Collier holds his daughter Finley Collier to watch Krewe of Endymion on Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A Talladega College drum major calls out to his fraternity brother as he marches down Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A drum major for South Atlanta high school dances during Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A float passes by a crowd on Carrollton Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. There were 37 floats featured in the parade. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
James Neal (left) and Aidan Grant reach for throws on the Carrollton Avenue neutral ground on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Parade goers covered Mid-City’s sidewalks and neutral grounds to attend Krewe of Endymion on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Hermes Messenger of Dreams float rolls down St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Hermes Parade on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Parade goers await the next floats to pass by on St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Hermes Parade on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A saxophone player from St. Paul’s Catholic School’s marching band marches down St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Hermes Parade on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Say’Bless Jeffery (left) and Tyhari Jackson on St. Charles Avenue trying their best to get the attention of float riders during the Krewe of Hermes Parade on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A member of Sophie B. Wright’s dance team struts down St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Hermes Parade on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A cheerleader from West Jefferson high school poses on St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Hermes Parade on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A man tips a flambeaux carrier on St. Charles Avenue on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A member of Eleanor McMain’s dance team marches down St. Charles Avenue on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Kassidy Ridgeway (left) and Ka’mya George reach for throws during the Krewe of Hermes parade on St. Charles Avenue on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A woman carrying a Palestinian flag walks down St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Hermes parade on St. Charles Avenue on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Bree Fuller line dances on St. Charles Avenue on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. A DJ played music for parade goers during the gap between Krewe of Hermes and Krewe D’Etat. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Darnell Sharp (right) dances on St. Charles Avenue on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A bass drummer for Tulane University marching band marches down St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A member of Pontchatoula high school’s color guard walks down St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
The Citadel’s Summerall Guards march past a crowd of parade goers on St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Meisha Sayless lifts her granddaughter Amiri Mack to get throws from a float on St. Charles during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A cymbal player from Kirby high school’s marching band marches down St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A man operates the WWL parade tracker on St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Crowd members watch a float depicting Donald Trump pass down St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Herb Ellis lifts his godson Josiah Bridges on St. Charles Avenue during Krewe d’Etat on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.
Harrison Carter sits in front of a mural in front of Gallier Hall before the start of Knights of Babylon on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A crowd waits for the Knights of Babylon parade to reach Gallier Hall on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A flambeaux carrier walks down St. Charles Avenue during the Krewe of Muses parade on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A woman rides in a fish mini-float in front of Gallier Hall during the Krewe of Muses parade on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
ew Orleans City Councilmember Oliver Thomas speaks to the crowd at Gallier Hall ahead of the Knights of Babylon parade on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Gallier Hall on the night of Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Knights of Babylon, Knights of Chaos and Krewe of Muses all passed in front of the building. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
The Goddessey float rides down St. Charles Avenue as parade goers reach for throws on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell at Gallier Hall on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
(Left to right) Nicole Ayarza and Grace Johnson reach for throws during the Krewe of Muses parade on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Nicole Zame holds a sign that reads “Here for the muse-ic and shoes.” Casey Taylor tries to get a shoe for his wife, Nancy Day. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A bass drummer for John F. Kennedy High School marching band marches down St. Charles Avenue during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A member of Edna Karr’s color guard on St. Charles Avenue during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Members of Edna Karr’s auxiliary section march down St. Charles Avenue during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A tuba player for McDonogh 35’s marching band marches past Gallier Hall during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A woman rides on the Beyoncé float on St. Charles Avenue during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Booker T. Washington High School cheerleaders perform a routine in front of Gallier Hall during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
New Orleans City Councilmember Helena Moreno looks into the stands in front of Gallier Hall during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Members of Krewe da Bhan Gras dance in front of Gallier Hall during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 Credit: John Gray / Verite News
A guitarist for the band Pink Slip shreds on a float passing Gallier Hall during Krewe of Muses on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Hundreds of thousands filled the streets in New Orleans over the weekend for several parades leading up to Mardi Gras.
NBA legend and Louisiana State University alum Shaquille O’Neal was the king of the Krewe of Bacchus parade that marched through Uptown on Sunday (March 2).
The theme of the parade was “Bacchus Celebrates Louisiana Fairs and Festivals.” It paid homage to events like the Beaux Bridge Crawfish Festival and the Washington Parish Balloon Festival.
The Krewe of Endymion’s parade on Saturday (March 1), themed “The Secret Teachings of All Ages,” featured floats with a supernatural twist: psychics, gods and cherubs, among others.
St. Augustine’s Marching 100 was the lead high school marching band in the parade, followed by Warren Easton High School and St. Mary’s Academy. Bands from Georgia and Mississippi marched as well.
Endymion rolled through Mid-City, a return to its typical route, on its way to the Superdome, where Katy Perry and Train performed.
On Friday (Feb. 28), the Krewe of Hermes marched through Uptown and the Central Business District with the theme “Visions of Joan d’ Arc,” a tribute to one of the patron saints of France who is famous for fighting in the siege of Orléans. The floats featured in the parade included pivotal moments in the 15th century warrior’s life.
The Marine Corps Marching Band led the procession and bands from Mississippi Valley State University and Talladega College in Alabama were among others that marched in the parade.
The peak of Carnival season kicked off on Thursday (Feb. 27) as the Krewe of Muses parade rolled from Uptown to the Central Business District as well.
The krewe dedicated its procession to the victims of the Bourbon Street attack. It also honored some of New Orleans’ femme culture bearers as part of its “Return of SuperMuse – The Age of Sheroes” theme.
A culture bearer-themed float carried Stella Chase Reese, president of the Dooky Chase Restaurant Corporation, Givonna Joseph, founder of Opera Creole, “Yakamein Lady” Linda Green and a variety of other artists, authors and musicians.
Floats paid homage to Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Dolly Parton and featured plays on popular comic book characters like Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and Catwoman. Rutina Wesley, actress and star of Louisiana-based television shows “True Blood” and “Queen Sugar,” was the krewe’s honorary muse.
And some of the city’s top high school marching bands from Edna Karr, McDonogh 35 and St. Augustine played traditional marches and contemporary hits.
Verite News will be photographing the festivities through Tuesday, so check back for more sights from the peak of Carnival.
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