NOLA Traditions: Krewe du Vieux rolls on

Krewe du Vieux parade (Glen Abbott photos)

Politically correct, no. Socially acceptable, hardly. Family friendly, fuggedaboutit.

And that’s why we love it.

Krewe du Vieux’s 26th annual parade – among the first of Mardi Gras season – marched, strutted, and rolled through the French Quarter Saturday evening in all its satirical, off-color, decadent glory.

Its theme this year was “Crimes Against Nature,” and the sub-krewes, with colorful names like Mystic Krewe of Spermes, Drips and Discharges, and Seeds of Decline, didn’t disappoint.

This year’s theme: “Crimes Against Nature”

Costumed revelers, mule-driven floats, and 19 brass bands contributed to the atmosphere of colorful, cacophonous chaos (in a good way, of course), in fulfillment of the Krewe’s mission, which is “dedicated to the historical and traditional concept of a Mardi Gras parade as a venue for individual creative expression and satirical comment.”

‘Nuff said. Check out the photo gallery below and see for yourself (ADVISORY: some photographs contain themes of an “adult” nature) (Duh!)

The essentials:

Krewe du Vieux official website: http://www.kreweduvieux.org/

Glen Abbott is a New Orleans-based freelance travel writer/photographer. Visit his blog at www.TravelinGringo.com.