Royal Artists: Royal Artists work on props for different carnival krewes on November 2, 2015. The floats must be ready in time for the January 2016 season, and Mardi Gras Day on February 9, 2016. Royal Artists use traditional papier mache to produce floats for older Krewes like Proteus, founded in 1882, and Knights of Chaos, a spin off of Momus founded in 1872.
Marcus Bronson works on the Butterfly King's wand at the Rex float den a few weeks before Fat Tuesday 2015. Rex was founded in 1872 and is king of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The parade rolls on Fat Tuesday every year.
Yellow Pocahontas Big Chief Darryl Montana helps close out the night with Indian Red during the Monogram Hunters practice on January 8, 2017.
Red Beans Parade members work on their outfits for the Lundi Gras parade on January 8, 2018 at Seal’s Class Act.
Red Beans krewe members work on with suits at Seal's Class Act.
Members of Creole Osceolas Mardi Gras Indian Tribe at a sewing party shortly before Mardi Gras on February 21, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - www.rhrphoto.com
Sam: Sam Morris, Rex Den Manager for the last 13 years, in the Rex room. Rolling on Mardi Gras Day, Rex is the king of Mardi Gras and New Orleans for the day. Founded in 1872, Rex is one of the most elite carnival krewes, with its membership of wealthy and prominent New Orleanians spanning many generations.
Bryan Harrell puts the final touches on king cakes at Dong Phuong Bakery at 2:30 a.m. on January 26, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee rhrphoto.com
The King of the Phunny Phorty Phellows serves King Cake to members during their streetcar ride to kick off Carnival season 2015. Carnival starts on the Twelth Night of Christmas and ends on Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday. The following day is Ash Wednesday and marks the start of Lent.
Joan of Arc parade in front of St. Louis Cathedral on January 7, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Monogram Hunters 2nd Chief Jeremy Stevenson and his father Big Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson work on the 2nd Chief suit for Mardi Gras day 2016. Starting at age 12 Big Chief Pie suited Yellow Pocahontas until he was given his own tribe in ‘92 - Monogram Hunters.
Caroline Thomas works on headdresses in her backyard workshop on January 20, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrPhoto.com
Caroline Thomas works on a float for Proteus on June 23, 2016. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee rhrphoto.com
Monogram Hunters Big Chief Pie working on Medicine Man Larry’s suit in Sidell on Feb 4.
Krewe of Athena's Coronation Mardi Gras Ball during Carnival 2015. The all female parade is the first all black carnival parade to roll in suburb of Metairie.
Iris krewe members decorating sunglasses for their parade, during Uptown get together on February 5, 2017. Iris, founded in 1917, is celebrating their 100th year as a carnival krewe. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee rhrphoto.com
Monogram Hunters Big Queen Denice (right) and her sister Stephanie Bennett (center) help put the final touches on Big Chief Pie's crown while Pie and Larry Terrence (left) watch, a few weeks before Fat Tuesday 2015. Big Chief Pie started masking as a spy boy with the famous downtown tribe Yellow Pocahontas when he was 12 years old. In 1992 Tootie and Edward Montana gifted him his own tribe Monogram Hunters, which was Montana's father's tribe.
Krewe of Iris Ball at the Hilton in New Orleans on February 3, 2017. Founded in 1917, the krewe is celebrating their 100th year. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Krewe of Iris Ball at the Hilton in New Orleans on February 3, 2017. Founded in 1917, the krewe is celebrating their 100th year. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Krewe of Iris Ball at the Hilton in New Orleans on February 3, 2017. Founded in 1917, the krewe is celebrating their 100th year. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Iris: Krewe of Iris Captain Kristin Danflous talks with members during a French Quarter luncheon the day before their parade on Feb. 24, 2017. Founded in 1917, Iris was the first all female krewe. Danflous' family has been heading the krewe since the 1950's.
A push cart float for Krewe Delusion sits on the street the day before their 2015 Carnival parade.
Jac Start puts on a headpiece by Caroline Thomas before Krewe du Vieux parade rolls on February 11, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee rhrphoto.com
Krewe du Vieux rolls through the Marigny on February 11, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee rhrphoto.com
Krewe of Choctaw members before their parade on February 18, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Krewe of Freret members shortly before the parade rolls during Carnival 2015.
Krewe of Freret King Bobby Hjortsberg getting things in order for the start of the parade during Carnivall 2015.
Ben Franklin Elementary school cheerleaders catch beads at the start of Krewe of Freret parade on February 18, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Abita Springs Push Mower Parade on January 30, 2016.
Tit’ Rex parade on Febuary 3, 2018.
Chewbacchus rolls down St Claude on February 18, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - www.rhrphoto.com
Pam Cooper shows Andrea Legrand a roach throw while they get ready for their Muses parade during Carnival 2015. Founded in 2001, the all-female krewe is now one of the staples of carnival New Orleans.
Muses outside their pre-parade party during the 2012 Carnival season. Started in 2000 the all female krewe is well known for their satire, decorated shoe throws, and zany walking krewes.
Krewe of Muses signature "Shoo" float, size 875, rolls up Tchoupitoulas to the top of the parade route in New Orleans during carnival 2012.
Muses on February 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - www.rhrphoto.com -
Chaos: Knights of Chaos parade in their satirical style along Napoleon Ave. on February 23, 2017. Chaos was founded in 1872 as the Knights of Momus. In 1877 they created parade floats ridiculing the Grant administration during reconstruction. In 1992 facing pressure from the city to offer membership to non-whites, Momus stopped parading, and in 2001 rebranded as the Knights of Chaos.
Muses Parade on Febuary 8, 2018. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - www.rhrphoto.com
Bearded Oysters members Becca Curry and Amelia Hoppe wait to march in Muses.
Muses Parade on February 8, 2018. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - www.rhrphoto.com
Muses Parade on Febuary 8, 2018. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - www.rhrphoto.com
Endymion rolls down Canal Street during Carnival 2014.
Endymion: Ending their parade in the Superdome, Krewe of Endymion's Extravaganza is well known in New Orleans for its elaborate floats and decadent parties. Founded in 1967, the super Krewe celebrated their 50th anniversary parading with Steven Tyler as Grand Marshall.
Members of Krewe d'Etat hang out on Bourbon Street before their parade during Carnival 2013.
Thoth parade
Indian practice at Kermit Ruffin's Mother-In-Law Lounge the Sunday before Mardi Gras day 2014.
Red Beans and Rice Parade on Lundi Gras in New Orleans Feb. 27, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Red Beans and Rice Parade on Lundi Gras in New Orleans Feb. 27, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Zulu: Members of Zulu have their faces painted a few hours before their parade rolls on Fat Tuesday 2014. Founded in 1909 by members of benevolent aid society groups, this first black krewe was a parody of Rex and commentary on segregation during carnival. Zulu members wear blackface as a form of anti-racist resistance by reclaiming the negative connotations through satire.
The Northside Skull and Bones Gang walk through the Treme neighborhood at 6am on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans March 4, 2014. The Gang first formed in 1819.
Monogram Hunters Big Chief "Pie" Tyrone Stevenson puts on his white suit for the first time with the help of his son Tyrone Jr. on Fat Tuesday 2015.
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles takes to the streets in the afternoon despite the all day rain on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans on March 4, 2014. This year's Fat Tuesday hit a low of 39 degrees (F), which was close to breaking the record set in Feb. 14, 1899 of 38 degrees.
Fat Tuesday in New Orleans on February 28, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Beginning in the Bywater, the Society of Saint Anne parade reaches the French Quarter on Fat Tuesday, New Orleans 2012.
Spy Boy Horace: Creole Wild West Spy Boy Horace Anderson meets the Gold Blades tribe on Mardi Gras Day 2016. A tradition spanning back to 1880's Mardi Gras Indians or Black Indians are considered one of the first examples of American civil rights protest against segregation. Creole Wild West is believed to be the first organized tribe, and may have included members from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show which wintered in New Orleans 1884-85. Adopting the look of Native Americans is a tribute to native peoples who took in escaped slaves. Their music hearkens to Congo Square, a Sunday meeting place for enslaved people to congregate around the beat of the drum and tambourine.
Fat Tuesday in New Orleans on February 28, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee - rhrphoto.com
Painting over the 2016 Rex floats for 2017 a few weeks after Mardi Gras day. A small cast of artisans work year round to make the krewe's theme possible, and after the 4-5 hour parade through New Orleans they start over.
Big Chief Thomas “Tom” Sparks Sr. funeral in New Orleans on March 24, 2018. Born in 1932, Tom was a member of the Yellow Jackets tribe for 70 years. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com
Big Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson making Pralines at Leah's Candy Shop in the French Quarter. After returning to masking in 2014 and 2015 Stevenson had to take a break in 2016 due to finances and time. He plans to return in 2017 with the a large tribe of returning long time members, while also bringing more children into the tradition.
Mardi Gras Machine: Pixie, a mechanical arm built by KUKA Robotics, cuts out the styrofoam body of Krewe of Tucks mascot Friar Tuck for the front a float at Mardi Gras World on January 26, 2017. The roughly million dollar robot started cutting just after Mardi Gras on Ash Wednesday 2016.