French Quarter Easter Parade Marks 40th Anniversary

News Summary

The French Quarter Easter Parade will celebrate its 40th anniversary on April 20, 2025, featuring elaborate costumes and a special bead commemorating Chris Owens. This year’s parade will not proceed through Bourbon Street due to security concerns. Coinciding with this event, the Gay Easter Parade will take place, showcasing creativity and fashion from the LGBT community. Meanwhile, tensions rise between the City Council and Mayor LaToya Cantrell over a controversial sanitation contract, highlighting governance conflicts in New Orleans.

New Orleans – The French Quarter Easter Parade will celebrate its 40th anniversary on April 20, 2025, at 1 p.m., marking a significant milestone for this beloved cultural event. The parade will commence outside the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel at the intersection of St. Louis and Royal Streets. Notably, this year’s festivities will not include a route on Bourbon Street, a departure from tradition due to heightened security concerns following a previous terror attack. The theme for the 2025 parade, “The Great Gatsby,” will feature vibrant displays and elaborate costumes, while attendees will receive a special commemorative bead in honor of Chris Owens, a legendary Bourbon Street entertainer.

In conjunction with the French Quarter Easter Parade, the Gay Easter Parade will also take place on the same day, starting at 4 p.m. from Armstrong Park at the corner of N. Rampart and St. Ann Streets. This year’s Gay Easter Parade marks its 24th celebration, recognized for its extravagant fashion and the creativity of the LGBT community. Notable figures Malaysia Walker and William Antil will serve as the grand marshals for this year’s event, further enhancing its significance.

Meanwhile, the city is engulfed in legal disputes surrounding a controversial sanitation contract that has resulted in ongoing tensions between the City Council and Mayor LaToya Cantrell. The council has attempted to halt a $73 million contract with Henry Consulting, which is scheduled to commence on August 1, 2025. Despite the council’s efforts, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals recently declined their request to stop the contract from moving forward, leaving the authority to ratify city contracts in question.

The contentious relationship between the City Council and Mayor Cantrell has further escalated due to this contract dispute. The mayor previously awarded an emergency sanitation contract to IV Waste during the preparations for the Super Bowl, drawing criticism from the council. A recent meeting between Troy Henry, owner of Henry Consulting, and Mayor Cantrell led to their agreement to proceed with the sanitation contract despite the council’s legal challenges.

Council President JP Morrell described the appeals court’s ruling as perplexing, citing the judges’ lack of reasoning as a significant point of concern. The ongoing power struggle between the council and the mayor has resulted in a series of legal victories favoring Mayor Cantrell, culminating in the current situation regarding the sanitation contract.

As the city grapples with these tensions, state lawmakers are actively discussing legislative measures that would empower the French Quarter Management District to secure a sanitation contractor in the event that none are available, aiming to alleviate the challenges faced by the district. The legal disputes surrounding the city’s contracting authority have resulted in multiple appeals by the City Council, underscoring the complexities of governance in New Orleans.

As preparations for the French Quarter Easter Parade and the Gay Easter Parade continue alongside these legal proceedings, the city’s residents and visitors look forward to celebrating the vibrant traditions that define the New Orleans community, all while witnessing the unfolding political landscape.

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Additional Resources

• NOLA: Nell Nolan on French Quarter Easter Parade
• Wikipedia: Easter Parade
• WWLTV: 40th Annual French Quarter Easter Parade Route 2025
• Google Search: French Quarter Easter Parade
• WGNO: Chris Owens’ Legacy at French Quarter Easter Parade
• Google Scholar: French Quarter Easter Parade
• Axios: Easter Events and Parades in New Orleans
• Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans Easter Parade