Krewe of Ancient Druids

Oops I clearly didn't keep my promise in 2012. Guess it's time for an update.So Druids has an identity crisis. I really like their tree themed floats. And they're satirical so normally that would be a yay...but their *satire* is really pretty dumb/mean spirited. Every year a float fighting with/insulting the women's krewes. Yawn.They also like to pretend that they are an old line krewe but they are a youngster having not even paraded for 20 years...consider the oldest krewes are well over 100 years old then you'll see why this is an upstart.I'm always enthusiastic for this parade because it does kick off the marathon. I just wish they were a bit stronger...in theme and in branded throws.

I usually don't make it out to Wednesday-before-Mardi-Gras parades, so this was my first experience with Druids. After seeing past posts online and reading a few reviews here, I was expecting the worst. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The Krewe was celebrating their 20th year and I didn't notice that any of the floats were overly scandalous or offensive. Of course, it was raining and I was trying my best to stay dry, so maybe I missed something. While they weren't throwing as generously as the bigger Krewes do, I caught a few things and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Please note: Do not expose yourself at this parade. There are families with small children around. Police are nearby and you will be arrested and charged. You will not earn any beads and you will possibly be a felon.I made it through the whole parade this year, though in years past, I have only been to parts of the parade due to school and work conflicts. I do like the tree themes of this parade. For those who don't know, a druid was a member of the high-ranking professional class in ancient Celtic cultures. While perhaps best remembered as religious leaders, they were also legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. While the druids are reported to have been literate, they are believed to have been prevented by doctrine from recording their knowledge in written form, thus they left no written accounts of themselves. They are however attested in some detail by their contemporaries from other cultures, such as the Romans. And that is from their Wikipedia page. For more information on what a Druid is, check out the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druid which is kind of dry.For more information on the Krewe of Ancient Druids, here is a perfect description: http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/mardigras/krewes/druids.html which does a great job of information giving.This is a great start in the build up of parade going of the Mardi Gras season. I always like coming to see it.

They are super stingy with the beads! I was there for the whole parade, on the front row with my hands up and only caught 3 beads. A lot of them just rolled by and looked at us. I think if people are willing to come out in the rain the Krewe needs to do what we are expecting them to do- throw the darn beads!!!

I really like Druids. It's a good starting parade for the 7 straight nights/days of parade-going. It's not too too big, and the riders are generally pretty enthusiastic and having fun. Keep it up, Druids.

Sad so sad! Dreadful Druids threw nothing- shame on them! Why bother to roll if you are not going to throw? We were on Tchoupitoulas towards the end waiting excitedly but the dreadful druids were done by then! Don't bother with this parade in the future. Spend your evening dining I one of the many great restaurants around.

I had to give this parade one star in order to write this review... tonight was my first time being able to see it because it's always raining... it was terrible... the overall parade was very dark... & not in color. I'm glad I didn't have my kids with me. The riders were extremely racist. One float stop in front of us & one of the riders actually looked around the crowd before throwing to one of their own... I will not attend this parade anymore!!!! Hopefully it will pour on them every year... & of course clear just in time for Nyx!!!