New Orleans Parades for Easter

The route for the first parade on Sunday!

New Orleans is a city known for its wide catholic community.  It's no surprise that because of this, Easter is a huge holiday in New Orleans.  Easter is always kicked off with parades in the French Quarter.  This year, Irene Burras will lead the horse-drawn carriages and convertibles through the parade.  This parade begins just before 10 o'clock in the morning and weaves it's way from 716 Antoine St. to Jackson Square.  In Jackson Square, the parade pauses at 11 in the morning for mass at the St. Louis Cathedral.  Throws include stuffed bunnies among other typical Easter treats.  Later, around 1 pm the Chris Owens French Quarter Parade will begin.  This parade consists of floats, convertibles, bands, and dance teams among many others.  Finally, after this parade, the Gay Easter Parade rolls with carriages, limousines, wagons and trolleys.  This parade is held as a benefit for the NO/AIDS Task Force's Food for Friends Program.  I love that they are raising awareness for a cause as well as how open New Orleans can be!  This is my first Easter parade and I'm very excited to experience it!