Norman Mardi Gras Society- born Norman Mardi Gras Parade in 1994 as a celebration of Art & Community.
🎉 Hey everyone! Just a quick heads up!
🎈 We're gathering at BIG Brewing Co from 4:30 to 6 today, April 20th, to bid farewell to Jennifer Robertson.
🎉 It's a chance to show our appreciation for all she's done.
🌟 Oh, and there'll be cake! 🎂 Hope to see you there! 🥳
🎉 A heartfelt thank you to the amazing judges of the Norman Mardi Gras Parade: Andrew J Coulter, Helen Grant, and Lance Grant! 🎭Your careful deliberation ensured that every float, costume, and performance got the recognition it deserves. Your commitment to our community event truly makes a difference. We appreciate you! 🙌
And a huge shoutout to our fantastic MCs, Cody Giles and Hunter Foster! 🎤 Your witty commentary added an extra layer of fun to the parade experience. Thank you for being the voices of our celebration and for bringing so much joy to everyone involved. We couldn't have asked for better hosts! 🎭
A special thank you to Diane Vanlandingham for assisting the judges with your invaluable support. Your efforts behind the scenes ensured the smooth running of our event, and we're incredibly grateful! 🌟
📸Dylan Johnson at Uncanny Alley
“🎉 A big shoutout to our amazing inflatable tube women who lit up the Mardi Gras parade with their vibrant energy and infectious enthusiasm! 💃🎈 Their wacky moves and playful antics brought smiles to faces all along the route. Thanks to our incredible team for adding an extra splash of fun to the festivities! 🌟 ”
🎉🐉 We were thrilled to have the Danza Azteca Tonantzin grace our parade with their mesmerizing performance, honoring the rich traditions of Mesoamerica. 🌟 Their vibrant dances paid homage to the ancient Aztec culture, bringing to life the spirit of celebration and reverence. 🎊 And guess who made a special appearance? The legendary Mesoamerican Dragon, Quetzalcóatl! 🐍🌈
It was a truly magical moment as we watched Quetzalcóatl's majestic presence glide through the streets, reminding us of the timeless beauty and wisdom encapsulated in Mesoamerican mythology. 🌟
✨ Huge thanks to Danza azteca Tonantzin for sharing their culture and heritage with us! 🙌
🎭🎉
📸 Dylan Johnson Photography at Uncanny Alley
The BIG Brew Krewe from Beer Is Good Brewing Company won Best Music with their seven member second line-style band. After the parade, the band went back to BIG to jam some more.
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography and Jesse Edgar Photography. Both may be found at Uncanny Alley.
The Millwood Marching Falcon Band headlined the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade and won Best Marchers. The band's members come from the 5th to 12th grades of Millwood Arts Academy and Millwood High School.
Bringing this band involved feeding and transporting all 105 members and their chaperones in two buses, as well as a truck and trailer to carry their instruments. It was a big ask, but thanks to all our sponsors, the Norman Mardi Gras Society was able to cover their expenses!
Gold Sponsors: Beer Is Good Brewing Company, The Standard - Norman, Okla, Westwood Veterinary Hospital, Visit Norman and The Depot.
Band Sponsor Guestroom Records for sponsoring the Panthers Jazz Ensemble from Putnam City North High School.
Silver Sponsors: Downtown Norman, Bison Witches - Norman, Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails, Armstrong Bank, Lazy Circles Brewing, Lu Willis, and King Kopy, LLC.
Bead Sponsors: Rick and Elizabeth Becker Heath, Rusty's Frozen Custard, and Sooner Cleaning + Restoration.
Thanks to our and all of you who donated and volunteered, the Norman Mardi Gras Parade will roll again next year on March 1, 2025!
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Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography. Stay tuned, there are more brilliant photos to come, both from Dylan and his associate at Uncanny Alley, Jesse Edgar Photography!
We can't wait for our next roll, either!
Our parade is always just before Fat Tuesday, so next year's date will be Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Meanwhile, we're ⚡️taking care of business⚡️ for a day or two, as Elvis would say, but we'll be back soon with more great photographs of the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade.
Thank you very much!
We just can’t wait for our next roll!
The Norman Mardi Gras Parade has always been a celebration of Art & Community and the audience has always been our raison d'être.
Here are some great photos of the crowd, taken for us by Jesse Edgar Photography and Dylan Johnson Photography. Both may be found at Uncanny Alley. Stay tuned for more... (Yes, there are MORE!)
Thanks to all our sponsors, the Norman Mardi Gras Parade will roll again next year on March 1, 2025!
Gold Sponsors: Beer Is Good Brewing Company, The Standard - Norman, Okla, Westwood Veterinary Hospital, Visit Norman and The Depot.
Band Sponsors: Guestroom Records and Norman Mardi Gras Society
Silver Sponsors: Downtown Norman, Bison Witches - Norman, Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails, Armstrong Bank, Lazy Circles Brewing, Lu Willis, and King Kopy, LLC
Bead Sponsors: Rick and Elizabeth Becker Heath, Rusty's Frozen Custard, and Sooner Cleaning + Restoration
Norman Pride won the Spirit Award in the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade. Not sure when they first joined our parade but their creativity and enthusiasm has always made them a crowd favorite.
This year, "Pride not Prejudice" will be the theme of the Pride Festival Weekend 2024which is scheduled for May 3rd - 5th.
Photos taken by Jesse Edgar Photography and Dylan Johnson Photography. Both may be found at Uncanny Alley.
Homeward Bound Pug Rescue Oklahoma's krewe won Best Doggie Gras, as well as our hearts. In addition to having very short legs, many in this "Grumble of Pugs" (yes, that's the proper term!) are quite elderly so they rode in carriages and wagons.
Homeward Bound's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome Pugs in safe, loving furever homes. If you need a *really cute* friend or would like to help out by fostering or donating, please contact them.
Photos by Jesse Edgar Photography and Dylan Johnson Photography at Uncanny Alley.
The Red Dirt Collective and the Krewe of Oscillator were two different entries but they made their beautiful dragons together during OSC-Press after hours "Kick It and Create" events, and they arrived together *and* most of our pictures of them are together, so...
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography at Uncanny Alley.
This was the Panther Jazz Band's first year together and the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade was their first Mardi Gras Performance! Sponsored be Guestroom Records, they're from Putnam City North High and under the direction of Desiree Whiteman and Joseph Craven.
We hope this year will be the first of many that these talented kids celebrate Norman Mardi Gras with us!
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography at Uncanny Alley and a group shot from Putnam City North HS Band because these kids are so good looking, we needed a shot of all of them!
Some Wild Wacky Inflatable Tube Women danced into our parade. Having broken free of their car lot moorings, they wafted down Main Street, waving back and forth rhythmically in the breeze. They were later spotted drinking beer and dancing at Beer Is Good Brewing Company.
Photos by Jesse Edgar Photography at Uncanny Alley.
The PFLAG Norman Krewe was wonderful, as always. They're a non-profit organization working to create a caring, just and affirming world for LBGTQ+ people.
Leading with love for over 50 years, nationwide. Supporting families, educating allies and advocating for equality.
The Rowdy Rascals Krewe of Rivermont Retirement Community came out again this year! They're one of our oldest krewes, (in more ways than one!) but that hasn't slowed them down. Go by for a visit. The Rascals say they'll show you the good times are a' rolling and the party doesn't stop!
Photo by Dylan Johnson Photography at Uncanny Alley
Twister City Roller Derby sent a krewe to the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade again this year. They're OKC Metro's only Roller Derby league and include two competitive teams and three home teams. Twister City Roller Derby also has a junior league: The Dust Devils.
The Twister City Krewe won Best Unidentified Rolling Object(s) last year. They're so much fun, we hope to see them again March 1, 2025 for our next parade.
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography and Jesse Edgar Photography. Both photographers may be found at Uncanny Alley.
The Medieval Fair Friends Society is one of our oldest krewes and one of our favorites! They brought dragons and castles to remind us that The Medieval Fair of Norman returns April 5th through 7th.
Three Huzzahs for the three krewes united under their banner: the Medieval Fair Cast, the Arthurian Order of Avalon, and the Barony of Namron!!
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography and Jesse Edgar Photography. Both can be found at Uncanny Alley.
The 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade was the Krewe Du Bikes' first year and we hope it's the first of many!
The Krewe du Bikes had 30 members of all ages, thanks to the Bicycle League of Norman, Lazy Circles Brewing, and Team Warmup Cycling Team!
Photos by Jesse Edgar Photography and Dylan Johnson Photography, both of Uncanny Alley.
Thanks, The Norman Transcript!
A parade participant walks down Main Street during the Mardi Gras Parade, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Downtown Norman. This is the 30th year for the Norman Mardi Gras Parade.
The Coeur de Mudgeon Krewe has a unique place in our parade as a legacy krewe with a rich history. Many of its members are veterans of parade krewes as far back as the first parade in 1994.
Founded by members of Friends For a 21st Century Senior Citizens’ Center, they spent years fighting to fund a modern center and finally realized their dream in 2023. They won the Best Movers and Shakers Award in the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade.
While some of the original members have moved on in a variety of ways, this krewe proudly carries on. Despite being perceived as "Dinosaurs" by some, they continue to dance, laugh, and sing, defiantly declaring, "All you dragons get off of our lawn!"
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography and Jesse Edgar Photographyat Uncanny Alley.
The children of Terra Verde Discovery School made their dragons under the direction of art teacher Julie Eberle. It was part of a school-wide study on the Lunar New Year, celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Their Flying into the New Year Krewe won best family in the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade
Photos by Dylan Johnson Photography and associate Jesse Edgar Photography at Uncanny Alley
Congratulations to the Blue Krewe, sponsored by the Cleveland County Democratic Party, for winning the 2024 Best Float Award in the 30th Annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade!
The Blue Krewe says: "We stand for Education, Good Jobs, and Healthcare for everyone." We were just wondering if that included dragons, when...
As always, feel free to tag yourself and your friends in our posts!
Photos in this post by Dylan Johnson Photography. Stay tuned, there are more photos to come from Dylan and his associate at Uncanny Alley, Jesse Edgar Photography!
Downtown Main Street
Norman, OK
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“🎉 A big shoutout to our amazing inflatable tube women who lit up the Mardi Gras parade with their vibrant energy and infectious enthusiasm! 💃🎈 Their wacky moves and playful antics brought smiles to faces all along the route. Thanks to our incredible team for adding an extra splash of fun to the festivities! 🌟 #MardiGrasMagic #InflatableFun #TeamSpirit”
More Video from the 2023 Norman Mardi Gras Parade! The B.I.G. Krackenmobile from Beer Is Good Brewing Company brought their own Second Line Band! They were followed by Lumberjane Tree Services LLC's Women Lifting Women float and the Zydeco Allstars with T.Z. Wright Music. Thanks to super fan, Jennifer Lynne O'Daniel, for the video!
Noble High School Band Bringing it home for the 2023 Norman Mardi Gras Parade! Sponsored by Sandalwood & Sage, the 85 members of Noble's True Blue Band won Best Music, as well as everyone's hearts.
