If you were in New Orleans this Easter Sunday, you probably spent the day celebrating at the 21st Annual Gay Easter Parade. The famous French Quarter hosted the gayest Easter Parade you’ve ever seen. Here are some great photos from the event:
Starting on N. Rampart and St. Ann near GrandPre’s, the parade rolls through the French Quarter and disbands at Betty’s Bar and Bistro at 700 Burgundy Street. Attendance is completely free.
View this post on Instagram
The annual parade began in 2000 as a way to showcase the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBTQ+ community. Women typically dress in gowns or summer suits with Easter Hats, while the gentlemen don summer suits or tuxedos. Of course, this is New Orleans, so you’d probably going to see lots of people wearing whatever they want to wear, too. Either way, the whole family can attend, and everyone’s invited—whether or not you identify as LGBTQ+.
View this post on Instagram
Raising Money for Food for Friends
The parade is more than a celebration—it’s also a fundraising event for Food for Friends, a division of CrescentCare. The parade has donated over $315,000 to Food for Friends since 2003, donating over $10,000 each year for the past 10 years.
The parade runs on fundraising. Every year there are several fundraising events that lead up to the parade; this year, the events included the Easter Parade Sponsor Party and Spring Fever, Eggstravaganza Brunch, and a drag show, The Marsha Delain Purple Party, and Bunnies in the Big Easy. All the money left over from these fundraising events after the parade expenses gets donated straight to Food for Friends.
If you want to make a donation in the name of the parade, visit CrescentCare’s website, designate your gift to Food for Friends, and type “Gay Easter Parade” in the comments.
Gay Easter Parade Grand Marshals
View this post on Instagram
The Grand Marshals of this year’s parade are James Garner of the Golden Lantern and Dominique DeLorean of Oz. Originally picked as Grand Marshals in 2020, they will finally get their chance to shine.
All photos are shared with the permission of Visit New Orleans Official Gay Easter Parade.
RELATED: Hunky Jesus contest gets resurrection in SF on Easter Sunday
