File:New Orleans Gay Easter Parade Musician Hilton Trumpet 2018-04-01.jpg

English: NOLA 2018 - Easter Sunday Parades

The story goes that the daughter of Count Arnaud started the Historic French Quarter Parade close to 100 years ago. Today the parade starts at 9:45 a.m. at Antoine's Restaurant (715 Rue St. Louis). It includes a stop for the 11 a.m. mass at the St. Louis Cathedral and resume parading at noon after a promenade in Jackson Square.

The parade features stylish ladies in lovely hats handing out goodies via both carriages and convertibles and disbands in front of Antoine's where the ladies promenade through the main dining room handing out stuffed bunnies and Easter trinkets to the patrons.

Easter Sunday's lineup of parades starts early that morning with The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade from Antoine's Restaurant at 9:45 a.m. to St. Louis Cathedral for 11:00 a.m. Mass. The parade, consisting largely of mule-drawn carriages and old convertibles, makes its leisurely, roundabout way through the French Quarter, handing out stuffed Easter bunnies to the kids, along with other trinkets.

Following Mass, participants in the parade promenade to Jackson Square opposite the Cathedral to show off their Easter bonnets and other finery before returning to Antoine's. Awards are given out for the best Easter bonnets, Easter baskets and overall Easter attire.

Later, around 1:00 p.m. is the Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade. This tradition, which began back in the early 1980s, features renowned French Quarter singer, dancer and all-around entertainer Chris Owens as the Grand Duchess. She stands proudly on her gaily decorated float, assisted by elegantly attired attendants while decked out in one of her stunning, tight-fitting outfits.

The parade starts at the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets and makes its way through the French Quarter, past the Chris Owens Club at 500 Bourbon, with colorful floats and vintage convertibles and accompanied by one or more of the city's famous brass bands. Plus dance groups and other entertainers. And, of course, since this is a New Orleans parade, there will be plenty of throws - Easter-themed - to catch from the floats and the open-top cars. This parade is a sight you'll never forget!

Then, later in the afternoon, is yet another parade, the Gay Easter Parade, put on by the city's GLBT community. Being nowhere near as wild or extravagant as a Mardi Gras parade, but rather family-friendly, the Gay Easter Parade takes a leisurely route through the French Quarter, passing every gay bar and many gay-owned restaurants and retail shops. The paraders ride horse-drawn carriages or floats while wearing showy versions of their Easter Sunday finest. Don't be surprised if you see a gaggle of motorcycle dudes in leather and Easter bonnets might roar by. Spectators can expect to see (and catch!) plenty of beads and other throws.

( Deux semaines a Nola pour la ville et pour WWE Wrestlemania XXXIV

Two weeks Nola for the city and for WWE Wrestlemania XXXIV )