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
Covington – 10 am - 4 pm
Floats, Trucks, Horses & Walking Parade + After-Party
The City of Covington, Covington Lions Club and community volunteers present Carnival in Covington, with parades by the Krewe of Covington Lions Club, the Mystic Krewe of Covington and a community parade coordinated by the City. The parades feature Grand Marshals (this year, Chef Pat Gallagher and Vince Vance of The Valiants), local celebrities (the Saints Superfans and Parish Fair queens) as well as marching groups, dance teams, musicians, antique cars, motorcycle clubs, horses and traditional floats with loads of fun throws.
The parades begin at 10 a.m. and roll one immediately after the other. Following the parades, the celebration continues at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., for a free, all-ages party. From noon until 4 p.m., enjoy live music, kids' activities and a costume contest with prizes donated by local businesses. Come hungry, because they'll also have concessions and food trucks.
Krewe of Covington Lions Club
Founded in 1959, the Krewe of Covington Lions Club supports the cost of exams and eyeglasses for low-income individuals.
Mystic Krewe of Covington
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 krewes rolling in St. Tammany Parish.
City of Covington
The City of Covington established "Carnival in Covington" to make the friendly, west St. Tammany town the ideal place for families and friends to go for Mardi Gras fun without an additional million or so party-goers, as with New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. Lawn chairs, strollers and ladders welcome! Parking is free throughout the town.
Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws
Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 pm
Walking Parade
After 25 years of parading along the Mandeville lakefront, this doggie parade moves to historic downtown Covington to roll 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. Proceeds from the Mardi Paws parade benefit the animal welfare agencies and the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, whose founder is this year's Celebrity Grand Marshal.
