In the city that celebrates, it won’t be too long before the beat of drums and marching feet resonate on the streets with more parades and celebrations.
Guests enjoy St. Patrick’s Day Parade
There are several St. Patrick’s Day parades that feature walking groups dressed in costumes of green who give out flowers, beads, and kisses to lucky parade goers along the route. The floats that follow the walkers throw beads plus the more infamous cabbages, carrots, onions…and moonpies! The Irish Channel parade on Saturday, March 16 passes directly in front of the Grand Victorian.
One of the marching club members decked out in green
New this year, the annual Parasol Block Party in the Irish Channel has been extended to a 3 day celebration!
On March 19, our city’s Sicilian heritage is celebrated on St. Joseph’s Day with elaborate altars in Catholic churches and private homes in honor of this saint who provided relief during a famine in Sicily.
Altar at Innkeeper Bonnie’s family’s home
St. Joseph’s Day has also been adopted as an important day for the Mardi Gras Indians, an African-American tradition unique to New Orleans. The Super Sunday Mardi Gras Indian parade on the Sunday nearest St. Joseph’s Day is the one time of year all of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes come together to show off their new suits. Original costumes are created every year and can weigh between 100 and 150 pounds.
We still have a few rooms left for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. You’ll get a front porch view of the St. Patrick’s Day parade from the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast, and you’re a streetcar away from the French Quarter and Super Sunday events. Hope to see you on the streets!