As football fans flood into New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, they are in for an unforgettable experience even before Sunday’s big game. On Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the city will roll out a spectacular Mardi Gras-style parade, blending New Orleans rich traditions with the excitement of the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl LIX Host Committee Parade is designed not only as a celebration of football’s biggest weekend but also as a showcase of New Orleans culture and tourism appeal. Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, emphasized that the event is meant “separate ourselves and our culture from other cities.”
The parade will feature 18 elaborately decorated floats, some of which will be familiar to Mardi Gras veterans. The famous six-segment Smokey Mary float from the Orpheus parade, sponsored by Entergy Corp., will be among the highlights. The Papa Joe’s SS Endymion float, a centerpiece of the Endymion parade, will represent the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. Meanwhile, the Bacchus parade’s king float will host the event’s grand marshal, billionaire entrepreneur Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. Graves has also invited celebrity guests to join him in the festivities, adding to the star power of the event.
No New Orleans parade is complete without music, and Saturday’s event will feature an impressive lineup of marching bands, including performances from LSU, Tulane University, St. Augustine High School, and McDonogh 35 High School, alongside the Marine Corps Band.
Adding to the carnival atmosphere, Black Masking Indians, Baby Dolls, and dance troupes will dazzle spectators along the parade route. The legendary Budweiser Clydesdales will also make an appearance, further enhancing the event’s grandeur.
While the parade will highlight New Orleans culture, it will also honor the teams competing in Super Bowl LIX. The final two floats in the procession will be dedicated to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, decked out in team colors and featuring cheerleaders, mascots, and family members of players.
With football, music, and Mardi Gras flair colliding in one unforgettable spectacle, the Super Bowl LIX Host Committee Parade will set the stage for an epic weekend in the Crescent City. For fans traveling to New Orleans, this parade will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that perfectly blends sports with the city’s legendary revelry.
