Mardi Gras 2025 - Day 3 - Zulu Parade

My childhood friend, La Verne, was a Duchess in the Zulu Parade. Photo credit: Louise Dodson

Welcome to Day 3 of my experience at Mardi Gras 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA). The highlight of today was certainly the attending the Zulu Parade and hanging with my childhood friend, La Verne, and her family.

The Zulu Parade is one of the most famous and culturally significant parades of Mardi Gras. It's organized by the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, a historically Black Carnival krewe that dates back to 1909. Zulu is not just a parade; it represents a long history of African American participation in Mardi Gras, born out of a time when Black New Orleanians were excluded from mainstream Carnival krewes. The parade is known for its colorful costumes, including grass skirts and black make up (due to early laws banning masks for Black men), and its satirical take on traditional Mardi Gras royalty.  Zulu is famous for handing out decorated coconuts, also known as "Golden Nuggets," instead of beads. These are highly sought-after Mardi Gras throws.

Streets lined on both sides waiting for the Zulu Parade to reach us.

My daughters, Edythe and Roneshia, and I waiting. And yes, it was chilly that morning.

These walkers kicked off the start to the upcoming parade.

Talladega College Band

This is the vice president of the Zulu Parade.

The St. Augustine "Marching 100" Band

The "Marching 100" band is well known in the New Orleans region. The band has played in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade and opening ceremonies for Super Bowls, including Super Bowl 24 (1990) and Super Bowl 59 Opening Night (2025). The "Marching 100" is not just a high school band—they’re a cultural and educational powerhouse. With first-class performances on national and global stages, legendary tradition, and a profound impact on students, they rightly earned the title “Best Band in the Land.”

And here come the floats.

I got distracted and didn't get the name of this marching band but they were really good.

Manicurist Float

Zulu Bandwagon

The Zulu Historian Emeritus. His name is on the sign in the first picture.

I didn't get the names on all the floats in the beginning but they were absolutely stunning.

A short video of the Mississippi Valley State Marching Band.

The Selfie Float. Those hands are out trying to catch those deathly beads or maybe a coconut.

Junior Zulus

Former Kings, Queens, Officers and Boards

Kids Travel

This float was very special to me as my childhood friend, La Verne, was a Zulu Duchess this year. She is absolutely gorgeous and I'm so happy she invited me and the gals to share in this occasion with her. Photo credit of La Verne: Louise Dodson

Big Shot

Zulu Witch Doctor

Zulu Ambassador

Zulu Mayor

Zulu Province Prince

Zulu Governor

Zulu Mr. Big Stuff

Zulu Sheriff. Officer Richardson (see arrow-second pic) was very handy when it came to picking up beads, hula hoops and coconuts thrown out of reach of the crowd. Whew!

It's Good to be King

African Zulu

African Leopard (see what I mean about Officer Richardson (:))

Femme Fatale

African Giraffe

African Elephant

Zulu Crocodile

African Rhino

Soul Queen

African Lion

African Gorilla

Time is on Our Side

Hospital

Hail Cleo

African Hippo

Teacher of the Year

City Hall

Well this marks the end of the parades for this trip. I must say of all the days and parades, the Zulu Parade is my absolute favorite. And the fact that it is on Fat Tuesday makes it that much better.

We're heading back to the hotel to distribute our treasures and celebrate with La Verne and her family tonight.

My beautiful daughter, Edythe, with her Mardi Gras beads.

Our Treasures

Oops forgot about the hula hoops. They will get shipped to their respective places.

Our last night views from the hotel.

Fellowshipping with the Zulu Duchess and her family. It was great catching up with La Verne and meeting some of her family members. Being the hostess she is, she had food and beverages in her suite and goody bags for those of us who came and supported her. Here are a few pics from our gathering.

La Verne and Me

Louise and Me

La Verne, Louise and Me

La Verne with Other Family Members

Group Pic - Me with La Verne, Louise and Other Family Members

Well this is the end of Mardi Gras 2025 for me. If you have not seen Day 1 or Day 2, I hope you will go back and view them. The videos and pictures of the floats and marching bands are phenomenal. And if you have never been to Mardi Gras, I hope these blogs give you a little flavor of what it is like.

If you are new to www.edeeonthego.com, I hope you will go back and view other blogs you have missed. If you subscribe to the site - and I hope you do, you will automatically be notified when new blogs are posted.

If you would like to view other posts, click on this link and it will take you to the landing page. https://www.edeeonthego.com/link-tree

Also, if you enjoy watching the videos, you can find some shorts and most of the longer ones on my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@edeeonthego.

Thanks for traveling with me from your home, car or wherever you are.

Until our next time......