The Krewe of Muses parade rolled at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 27. The parade started at the intersection of Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue and proceeded to the intersection of Tchoupitoulas and St. Joseph Street. The Krewe of Muses is the first all-female Mardi Gras krewe to parade at night in uptown New Orleans and always rolls on the Thursday before Mardi Gras.
For years, the Thursday evening before Mardi Gras has been a must-see event on the Carnival calendar. Known as Muses Thursday—or “tHERSday,” as the all-female krewe calls it—it’s a night of unforgettable sights, from the massive rolling bathtub and oversized rubber duckies to the high-heeled towering shoe float.
The parade is a dazzling mix of clever float satire, unconventional marching troupes, and the highly coveted, glittering, hand-decorated high heels that have become one of Mardi Gras’ most prized throws.
Organized in 2000, the Muses is named after the daughters of Zeus, the Greek mythological God. Muses were considered to be patrons of the arts and sciences and an inspiration for artists, poets, philosophers, and musicians. Earlier in its conception, krewe members agreed that there would be no royalty among the Muses, the krewe would be all women, and they would focus on racial and economic diversity.
This year was the krewe’s 25th anniversary and was celebrated with the theme “The Return of SuperMuse – The Age of Sheroes”. The theme features SuperMuse, a fictional female hero who has the power to save the city of New Orleans. The parade has become a Mardi Gras favorite thanks to its humorous and boisterous themes, floats, and costumes. 1,118 riders and 26 floats make up the krewe whose signature throws are hand-decorated glittered high-heeled shoes and items featured on floats.
Each year, the Muses host a throw design contest for local students. The winning student rides as a guest of the krewe and their design is put on display for the ages on a Muse’s throw cup. The 2025 winner was Piper Schaumburg, a 12th grader. In addition to allowing students to design their throw cup logos, they also have had local students design their masks in the past. Now, mask decorating duties have been passed to senior citizens and adults in rehabilitative environments as a way to stay connected to the Mardi Gras season.
Actress Rutina Wesley served as the honorary Muse for 2025, leading the parade riding in a 17-foot-tall fiber optic red high-heel shoe float. Wesley is known for her roles in Queen Sugar and The Last of Us and is a great example of an inspiring woman. Other images of iconic women on floats featured this year were Taylor Swift as the humorous “Childless Catwoman”, Beyoncé, and Dolly Parton.