On February 15, 2020, the Krewe of Freret and Trombone Shorty presented a “Music of New Orleans” themed parade through the Uptown route on the streets of New Orleans. The KoF announced a new long-term partnership with float builder Kern Studios in 2020.
The partnership announced the addition of a new list of marquee ‘signature’ Krewe floats, including the largest float prop ever affixed to a Mardi Gras Float, a giant bust of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, the Krewe’s 2020 Grand Marshall.
There nothing like riding in a Mardi Gras parade with thousands of screaming people lining the streets yelling at you to throw beads. I was fortunate this year to be able to ride in the Freret parade with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with the Krewe du Kanaval who partnered with KoF this year. The weather was sunny and perfect for us so thousands of people came out to see the event.
The parade included beautiful floats with tons of special guests including Arcade Fire, Boyfriend, The Revivalists as well as some of the best marching bands and performers around. The paraded ended its procession at Mardi Gras World, where it held its first annual ‘Shorty Gras’ Ball.
