How to See the Crescent City Parade at Mardi Gras

The Krewe of Crescent City has put together parades for Mardi Gras since 1947. This truck parade carries over 3,000 men and women along the parade route and includes over 70 truck floats. Unlike many of the other parades at Mardi Gras, the Crescent City parade does not choose a theme or have any theme for parades. The Crescent City parade is made up of trucks from many different krewes participating in various Mardi Gras parades throughout the celebration.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Folding chair
• Camera with plenty of film or memory
• Comfortable shoes

See the Crescent City Parade at Mardi Gras

1. Remember, start times for the Crescent City parade are dependent on other parades taking place during Mardi Gras. The Crescent City parade starts after the Elks parade, which starts after the Rex parade.

2. Know the parade route so you can find a good spot to see the spectacle of the Crescent City parade. The parade starts at the corner of South Claiborne and Napoleon, heading south on Napoleon, east on St. Charles, north on Canal and ending at the corner of Rampart and Canal.

3. Pick a spot where you can see floats, people and bands coming down the street and across your path. A corner spot or a spot on the roundabout can provide great views.

4. Stay in your spot. If you leave a spot, it will probably not be there when you try to come back to it.

5. Participate in the parade by catching various souvenirs tossed out by the people in the parade.

6. Take lots of pictures or a video to replay the sights and sounds of the Crescent City parade to your friends who missed it.

7. Prepare to leave the parade with mixed emotions. You have experienced a great parade, but it is also the last official krewe parade you will see for Mardi Gras.

Tips & Warnings

• You can fill your Mardis Gras day (Fat Tuesday) with parades from 8 a.m. through the conclusion of the parades with the Crescent City parade.
• The Crescent City parade is a family-friendly event.
• Even though you may have to lug a folding chair around, you will appreciate it by the end of your day of parades.
• Take just enough money with you to make it through the day without returning to your hotel room so you don't miss any of the parades.
• Leave extra cash and valuables in the hotel safe so you don't misplace anything valuable (or have it stolen while standing in a big crowd).
• Pamper your feet. Wear comfortable shoes during the day and maybe bring a more fashionable pair for the evening.