01-03-2025
Parade goers set up camp hours before Endymion rolls
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Just one day before one of New Orleans' largest Mardi Gras parades, the Krewe of Endymion, rolls, spots along City Park Avenue in Mid-City, the parade's starting point, are becoming scarce.
'So, we came out here Tuesday night, Wednesday morning,' said parade goers James Demoruelle, Joe Winn, and Brian Driskill. '[We] started setting up, putting tarps out, and then don't forget about driving by every hour, Monday, Tuesday, just to make sure we get a good spot.'
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Among the city's Mardi Gras rules, parade goers are prohibited from setting up camp more than four hours before the parade.
'So, we didn't realize that you can't set up here until the barricades close. It's still school property. But after talking to some people that are coming out to set up tonight, we're actually sleeping out here tonight, and we're going to watch their stuff,' explained Driskill. 'They gave us permission to set up right here, so we just moved it to appease the security.'
Arguably, employees at Blue Oak BBQ, which is located just a block from the route, are much busier than those marking their territory.
'On a typical day, we'll push maybe 500 tickets; I'll put it like that,' said Kevin Appelson, the bar manager at Blue Oak BBQ. 'On Endymion, we come closer to 900 to 1000.'
An abundance of supplies is a must.
'We order for, like, two weeks' worth of stuff. We're prepping the most we've ever prepped for just one of our, if not the busiest day of the year,' explained Appelson. 'Then, at the bar, we have our special King Cake daiquiri, and I prepped for that.'
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Now, it's time to get some rest, or at least try to.
'You know, lots of caffeine,' said Appelson. 'We'll get some donuts going in the morning [and] have a good time.'
Endymion rolls at 4 p.m. on Saturday and ends at Caesars Superdome for the Endymion educators arrested in Paradis child abuse case
Parade goers set up camp hours before Endymion rolls
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