Krewe Of Elks-Orleans

The Elks trucks parade is a classic and it's the perfect end to Mardi Gras. The crowds are always a lot more laid back at this parade than at other parades, the riders are always really generous with the throws, and while the "floats" aren't anything overly fancy, they get the job done.I pretty much grew up on truck parades. The sounds of a truck's horn and the smell of exhaust will probably remind me of Mardi Gras for the rest of my life. For this particular parade, I like to just sit back and relax somewhere on St. Charles Avenue and just watch it pass as I enjoy the day.The best part of this parade is that it seems to go on and on almost without end. It's really entertaining and it's one of the few parades where people aren't chomping at the bit to get some fancy throw- they just enjoy it for what it is.

Good god, this is a huge parade. Krewe of Elks-Orleanians (as opposed to the Krewe of Elks-Jeffersonians) officially rolls "after Rex" whenever that is. It's an Uptown truck parade which means a few things. First, it's rolling along St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans proper. Second, it's a truck parade which means the floats are actually based on 18 wheelers. Third, truck parades can accommodate A LOT of riders. This krewe has something like 4600 riders...which is a lot, even by Mardi Gras standards. But that makes Elks even better for the observer! There are more throws, more beads, more toys, and more parade to enjoy. The riders are generally very friendly with smiles and an eye for children throughout the route, meaning your child will have a few throws aimed directly for them. (And hey! You! Don't grab that throw. Your mother taught you better than that. Let the kids have their Mardi Gras fun.) Elks has a great reputation as a family-friendly parade, and they deserve that reputation! Besides the aforementioned focus on children lining the route, there are lots of families in the crowd which keeps the drinking and debauchery to a minimum. People tend to keep their genitalia tucked in, and most parade observers would appreciate that tradition being honored in future. Bring your ladder boxes instead of boxes of beer. Truck parades aren't as flashy as their night counterparts, but they are just as much fun.

OMG truck floats...with the constantly blowing horns and the sound systems....OK, I kind of like the sound systems otherwise the entire block wouldn't have been doing the wobble in the middle of the street...I think the wobble was the official dance of Carnival 2013.This is the favorite of all children because they throw tons and tons of junk. As a side note, parents inspect those stuffed animals before you let your baby/toddler play with them... some are soaked in beer and some are just dirty.I caught some classic old school 1970s beads which are about the only throw I'm holding on to this year.

Having a son. Now, I must say that this parade is a beautiful christmas gift to him. He loved the floats, the trucks with their loud horns pulling the floats, and of course the throws of the floats. I will post a pic ot the many things going on in my living room as a result of Truck parades. My son got thrown socks, footballs, swords, taco, rattles, hat, huge teddy beats, muppet sock of a monkey, stuffed animals of all soets, I swear we, literally have a zoo honey!! There were about 116 floats this year in just this one parade alone! I love that there's no waiting, or school bands, it was just straight floats the whole parade. I loved it! !!!! Awesome every year, will be back again next year!

This parade is by far one of the best day parades! Ive been riding since i was about 6 or 7 years old. Im turning 23 this year lol. Its always so wonderful seeing the city at its happiest. Since katrina its definitely a must for me to come down every year from Texas to see my home flourishing with improvements. Buying all the beads, toys, and gadgets you all enjoy is one of my favorite things to do. The smell of the beads is so euphoric, especially when youre on your float setting them up with the rest of your krewe. We're up every year getting everything together at 5 am for you all, and its ALWAYS a pleasure of mine! The costumes, the GENEROSITY of the crowd is so amazing! We always have food on the floats but theres always somebody grilling something better on the ground, we'll trade a hamburger, some chicken, hotdogs, BEER...WHATEVER YALL GOT for a pair of big beads!!! I cannot WAIT! Its always a great time, from a veteran rider...JUST HAVE FUN AND THE BEADS WILL COME TO YOU. P.s- we're sorry if a bead hits you in the face, i promise we were aiming for someone else but the throw was off lol.

Elks Orleans, aka The Trucks follows Rex on Mardi Gras day and is the last official parade of Carnival, and while you don't have gorgeous floats and over the top pageantry, it's the best for those bead and swag hoarders who can't get enough plastic cups for future spring crawfish boils. Founded in 1935, the Krewe of Elks Orleans is the oldest and largest of all the truck float krewes. Actually, who knew that was the official name? Everyone calls it 'The Trucks'. Elks Orleans? no one will know what you're talkin' about!

This is the first truck parade to start on Mardi gras day. I always have fun because they throw a lot more stuff than all the other parades. Some of the guys that were pulling these floats I recognized as well. All in all this parade is one of my many Mardi Gras traditions right along with buying a stupid looking novelty hat from a street vendor and drinking Captain Morgan with pepsi.