I’ve seen television footage of St. Patrick’s parades in other parts of the country. There is generally a marching band of bagpipes, some local cheerleaders and convertibles filled with dignitaries waving to the crowd. No floats filled with riders, no beads, no produce companies working overtime.
But this is New Orleans, and we do things a little differently here. I hope you had a chance to get down to the Irish Channel yesterday for the St. Patrick’s parade. The weather was PERFECT…you couldn’t ask for a better parade day! Sun shining, mid to upper 70s and not a cloud in the sky.
Since I am convinced that the six degrees of separation is really only 2.5 in New 
Orleans, I wasn’t surprised at all that I knew someone who lived right on the parade route. Packing up and heading over to Louisiana Avenue, we settled in for the party between two houses. Kids, dogs, family, friends…everyone was welcome. And the food! Well, it wouldn’t be New Orleans, would it, without the grill being fired up and the crawfish pot boiling. Boiled crawfish and shrimp, red beans and rice, jambalaya, shrimp fettucine and more desserts than McKenzie’s Bakery ever had in one day.
What a terrific way to spend a Saturday afternoon in New Orleans, celebrating the wearin’ o’ the green…
Henna the Great Dane – security for the party
In typical New Orleans fashion, the owners of these homes opened their doors to friends and family for the entire day. Thanks Steve, Vinnie and Jane!
The Walking Clubs walked (and danced) their way through the route
You might recognize this group from last weeks Friendship Day in Algiers
A group of police officers from New Jersey, Boston and Chicago banded together to form their own walking club!
There were West Bank faces on floats and on the ground. We’ll definitely cross the river for a good time!
Time to go home and start cooking…
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!
All photos property of Lisa Heindel
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