St. John Fools of Misrule
Saturday, Jan. 11 at 6 pm
Walking Parade
The Fools and Jewels of this krewe march through historic St. John District of old Covington (1813) on Saturday closest to Twelfth Night (Jan. 6), also known as The Epiphany or King's Day. The organization's rituals are derived from an ancient English men's group that clamored along the evening streets creating unruliness with cowbells and whips while delivering jeers and spankings to those caught on the street unaware. The Fools of Misrule integrated into its name homage to the streets where it conducts its bawdy procession. Led by a “Lord of Misrule,” flambeaux and a brass band starting at Seiler Bar (434 N. Columbia Street), revelers follow a route along Lockwood St. west to the Covington Trailhead, south on New Hampshire St. to Boston, north along Columbia St. to end back at Seiler, stopping at watering holes and restaurants along the way. Their slogan: Vivere Vitam Omnino! – Live Life Completely!
Krewe of Olympia
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 6 pm
Floats, Trucks and Horse Parade
Founded in 1965, this 300+-member Krewe is the oldest in St. Tammany. Keeping the identity of King Zeus a secret, members ride on floats, trucks, and horses interspersed with marching bands from across the Northshore. Features dozens of floats with lighted throws, the marching bands, and special appearances. Starts in front of St. Tammany Parish Justice Center on Columbia St. and follows a route along Hwy 21/Boston St. to Jefferson, 15th*, Tyler, and W. 23rd Ave., then turns and comes back through downtown again.
*Due to road construction, the parade will turn on 14th St. for the 2020 parade.
MARDI GRAS DAY - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
The City of Covington, Covington Lions Club, and community volunteers present Carnival in Covington, with parades by the Krewe of Covington Lions Club and Mystic Krewe of Covington, followed by a celebration at Covington's trailhead of the Tammany Trace, located at 419 N. New Hampshire Street.
The parades begin at 10 am and roll one immediately after the other, and the post-party at the Trailhead starts around noon and features entertainment, music, food and family fun.
The parades will feature walking groups, musicians, floats, antique cars, small trucks and wagons, fun throws and celebrity Grand Marshal and special guests.
Krewe of Covington Lions Club
Covington – 10 am
Floats, Cars & Walking Parade
Founded in 1959, this is the 60th annual parade for the Krewe of Covington Lions Club. The lineup includes walking groups, musicians, riders, antique car owners and more to be announced. Follows the same route as the Krewe of Olympia. The Lions Club supports the cost of exams and eyeglasses for low-income individuals.
Mystic Krewe of Covington
Covington – follows Lions
Floats, Cars & Walking Parade
The Mystic Krewe of Covington was organized in 1951 as the Krewe of KaaCee after the initials of the Knights of Columbus (KC), the krewe's founding group. This organization is one of the oldest carnival krewes rolling in St. Tammany Parish. Rolls just after the Krewe of Covington Lions Club parade.
Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws
Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 pm
Walking Parade
After 25 years of parading along the Mandeville lakefront, the Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws parade moves to historic downtown Covington to rolls and stroll on the Sunday after Mardi Gras Day. Having attracted hundreds of canine participants and tens of thousands of spectators, the move to Covington offers more parking and less walking for everyone! Fittingly, the theme of the 2020 parade is Beyond All Boundaries. For the past four years, proceeds from the Mardi Paws parade have benefited the Ian Somerhalder Foundation and their emergency medical grant program and Scott’s Wish, which provides aid for patients with leukemia and life-threatening illnesses.
