Mardi Gras Indian Super Sunday Parade

Looking for a time to visit New Orleans, to soak in and experience the local life style? Want to enjoy New Orleans surrounded by locals of all economic levels in the areas with folks celebrating in their own streets? Hear the best brass bands in the city, join an all day parade, eat grilled pork chop on white bread sandwiches and dance all afternoon while buying Heinekens 2 for $5 from folks pulling their coolers along the whole parade route in order to keep the day socially lubricated? Of course you do, and you can.Add to that you are only also witnessing a neighborhood tradition going back 140 years, an organic local celebration that is unparalled anywhere in the United States and remains true to its roots and apparently sometimes even out of popular local culture? (22 reviews for the 3 year old Po Boy Festival, a fine but overcrowded commercial venture and zero for Super Sunday? My mind boggles).Super Sunday is one of the many reasons why people don't leave New Orleans, I know folks who have moved here after parading along this uptown route just once.Picture a few guys getting together every Sunday night for 6 months...sewing, gluing, gathering $5000 worth of brightly dyed ostrich feathers plumes and beads and putting together an outfit, 4 guys to make one costume and each and every one of those a piece of art. Mardi Gras Indian Tribes are local social clubs, some members going back generations, after months of sewing and beading it is time to go out and both celebrate your work and also go to war against other tribes about whose outfit is the prettiest.In essence they all are, but in actuality, it is about pride, creativity, and a level of artisanship you just don't see on public streets elsewhere. And next year, they start the costuming all over again from scratch, because their is no way you are not going to be prettier than the year before.It aint Mardi Gras, you're no longer surrounded by mansions, but it is safe, it is vibrant, and if you make a trip down (Super Sunday takes place on the closest Sunday to St Jospehs day) you will never forget it. Usually 30 tribes, 400 costumes from 3 year olds to 80 year oldsEasiest way to get around for this is by bike, you can get to the starting and ending spot and if you want to witness the parade from multiple angles you can bike on ahead over and over, or just lock the bike up and dance following the bands like everyone else.Check out the Backstreet Cultural Museum or the House of Dance and Feathers set up by Ronald Lewis beforehand for some stories and understanding of what its all about...these local neighborhood historians are worth supporting.

My experience this time was soooo fun. I enjoyed everything and just about everyone. Lol. Honestly every corner I turned there was an Indian coming through getting their beautiful feathers together. To see the different Indian Groups come together and just parade around wearing their best artwork is truly Something that someone must see for their selves. Its an experience to see this. Many people wearing their roles of their tribe on their feathers and just chanting their native chants and rolling with their crew of family it just an amazing thing to see. Even the little ones had their feathers on leading the way to the big cheifs. You have to be there really it is just impossible to try and explain to them. Very fun! Of course be very mindful of your surroundings and if you bring your little ones out make sure you guys are able to flight if need be. It is a huge crowd so just really be cautious and have fun. There are many food truck a and alcoholic portable daiquiri stations that you may run into. Overall just have a good time Man!

Why celebrate St. Patrick when you can celebrate St. Joseph?! And who cares about a Metry parade, when you can be at Super Sunday taking pictures of Mardi Gras Indians, enjoying music, and waiting in line for beer and BBQ at a plethora of down home food trucks and grills! Put on annually by the Mardi Gras Indian Council every third Sunday in March, Super Sunday is one of the most laid back, community-feel New Orleans cultural events. The various Mardi Gras Indian tribes begin by getting dressed on the playground at A.L. Davis Park, before parading up to Claiborne, ending back at the park to dance-battle (not in the Zoolander fashion) and perform. According to the website: "Nobody is completely certain when the tradition of Mardi Gras Indians "masking" on St. Joseph's night began. However, there have been reports of Indians on St. Joseph's night dating back to before World War I. The custom seems to have come about simply because it was a good opportunity. With all of the Catholic Italians celebrating this holiday in the streets, the Indians were able to blend in and celebrate as well.Before 1969, the Indians celebrated by coming out at night to meet and greet other "gangs". In 1969, the first parade was created and rolled through town at night. In 1970, it was switched to a day parade on Sunday afternoon, and has continued in that tradition to this day."The costumes are, as always, stunningly beautiful. Hand-made, beaded, feathered, glorious things, that put your hard work for Mardi Gras and Halloween to shame (sorry bout that). I especially love seeing grumpy children looking adorably plumaged, and the beaded shifts on the women.Food is cash only and often sold from the backs of pick-up trucks. I had a shrimp plate from the Taste of New Orleans truck which took a long time and was not even that satisfying (shrimp were small, fries were limp), but it did the trick and soaked up the beer. I also had some hot sausage and a bite of a burger from a trailer-BBQ. Juicy, hot, and saucy. Should've gone with that in the first place. We biked up which was the correct decision, as we watched cars circle endlessly looking for parking. I hadn't been in the Magnolia Project redevelopment; it looks exactly like the St. Bernard and St. Thomas ones. Clones!

The phrase "...only in New Orleans" may seem trite and overused, but it is so applicable to describe a second line, and in particular, Super Sunday for all the neighborhood Indian tribes. The gathering is a celebration of some ridiculously fine crafted suits and community pride in tradition. People from all walks of life, from every economic class get down together in the most unassuming and carefree way.Be sure to partake in the various street vendors out and have a good time. Don't expect to put anything on a timeline, just show up and appreciate your brothers and sisters.

This is a pretty amazing day. The outfits are simply stop in your tracks and drop your jaw amazing and photos just do not do them justice. As a fiber arts junkie (BA in Fashion Design), I was captivated and enthralled by this gorgeous parade of men in spectacular gear dancing their way through the city.It's not just the costumes though. It's also the community. There is such commitment in these men putting these creations together for months and months as well as the cost of creating one of these headdresses. The day itself is relaxed, casual and fun. There are food trucks everywhere selling beer, drinks, grilled meat, and I had a really good plate of beans & rice and fried chicken for $5. There is music, dancing, and of course lots of picture taking!I'd say this is a day not to be missed. The only other celebration I've been to so far this year that I also felt the same way about was the Krewe Da Veaux which kicks off the Mardi Gras parades for the season. that celebration also felt relaxed, fun, organic and authentic.

Finally had a chance to check out this amazing and unique parade. Lots of people, music, and homemade food and drink stands! We had some nachos, fried ribs, pralines, jambalaya, and bloody Mary's. And that's only a small portion of the selection! The parade isn't on the parade tracker, so set aside the afternoon for this event. This year, it took over 4 hours for the first few Krewes to arrive at the end in AL Davis Park. Enjoy some food and people watching while you wait- bigwheel bikes, kids dancing, four wheelers, motorcycles, etc. When the Krewes come marching, make sure to appreciate the amazing details of the handmade costumes! I love all the sequins, glitter, feathers, bead-work, etc. Very impressive! Such great energy and friendly people- definitely something I'll make time for every year!

It's days like Super Sunday when I really think to myself that I could never imagine living in any other city besides New Orleans. I'm not a born and raised New Orleanian, almost the opposite in fact, but Super Sunday embodies this city's timeless tradition and perpetual celebration that just can't be found anywhere else.Don't know anything about Super Sunday? Super Sunday is considered the most significant day for the Mardi Gras Indians aside from Mardi Gras Day itself. Super Sunday occurs on the third Sunday of March, also the closet Sunday to St. Joseph's Day, in Central City. The Mardi Gras Indians gather at A.L. Davis Park, at the corner of LaSalle Street and Washington Avenue, before proceeding along LaSalle, left on MLK Blvd, left on Claiborne, left on Washington, and ending back at A.L. Davis Park.About 38 local tribes of Mardi Gras Indians gather to parade and display their suits (suits, not costumes, don't forget that). The suits are STUNNING, made of elaborate bead and feather work that takes nearly a full year to complete. I really cannot imagine ever seeing more gorgeous craftsmanship than these colorful, intricate suits.Unlike a lot of other Mardi Gras festivities, Super Sunday is an almost entirely local celebration. I don't imagine a lot of people travel to the city of New Orleans just for Super Sunday (although maybe they should, but shhhh). So it's nice that you don't have to deal with a lot of the unfavorable hoopla that comes with the rest of Mardi Gras.There are a number of food trucks, "pickup truck bars", local corner stores, and porta potties around the park to meet all of your personal needs while enjoying the parade. There is also live music in the park and the parade is well patrolled by NOPD.The parade typically begins at noon. I recommend coming out around 1 o'clock to enjoy the food and music in the park. Then, around 2:30pm, move out along Washington Avenue to watch the Mardi Gras Indians take their final stroll into the park.