Parades

Includes permits from the city, route planning and approval process with City Hall, includes (2) onsite coordinators, additional staff needed based on size of parade

Additional onsite coordinators might be needed for parade based on overall total of parade elements.... Please see the box below for pricing

Additional onsite coordinators needed for parade based on overall total of parade elements

Number of NOPD needed for parades is based on overall guest & talent count for the parade.

Minimum number of NOPD needed for any parade is 3.

New Orleans is famous for it’s brass bands and who wouldn’t love the high energy of these brass and drum ensembles. The bands are made up of at least 5 members and move around an event or are best known leading a parade. Bands can be dressed in traditional attire which is black pants, a white shirt and a brass band hat. Additional band members can be added for larger groups to enhance the sound. 

The tradition of tossing beads dates back to the 1800’s and has remained a tradition in parades in New Orleans. Guests can interact with those passing by as well as become a part of the action by tossing beads to those cheering on the parade. Basic beads are generally 24” with small beads, the higher end beads are 36” with larger millimeter beads and are the more coveted “throw.” Custom logo beads are also available.

Oversized walking heads are a unique feature of New Orleans entertainment options. They are terrific living decor and fun for photos. Each is hand made in the traditional Italian carnival style brought to New Orleans decades ago. The family business still creates custom images for parades and events. We offer large jesters, Brazilian dancers, Louis Armstrong and other famous New Orleans characters and historic characters.

The tradition of tossing beads dates back to the 1800’s and has remained a tradition in parades in New Orleans. Guests can interact with those passing by as well as become a part of the action by tossing beads to those cheering on the parade. Custom logo beads are available.

Bring your very own cheerleader to your next event. We will create a custom cheerleader uniform in your company colors with your logo embroidered on the uniform. These spirited models are wonderful to lead parades, to take photos with guests or to be a part of any sports related events. Our very own NOLA Cheerleaders are dressed in purple, green and gold with NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) embroidered on the uniform and are perfect additions to any event.

Bring the high-energy flare to your event by adding in the LED High School Drum Line.  This powerful musical section of the band will be have LED accessories including LED Drum Sticks for their band members.  Best done under low light or outdoor at night, the LED Drum Line is a great option for band break entertainment, parades or any event that needs to have a burst of energy added to the party.

Get to your venue in style with a ride on a real Mardi Gras Float.  They are colorfully decorated and can hold up to 18 guests each. These are the only large floats permitted to drive in the French Quarter.  They are pulled by tractors and need a police escort to get them to and from the start and end locations of the parade.

One of New Orleans most popular traditions is the grand marshal or the “leader of the second line parades”. The grand marshal is dressed in a colorful suit and dances with feather fans or a decorative umbrella. He or she walks in front of the band and gets the crowd excited to move through the streets. Grand Marshals are great for parades or as strolling entertainment at your next reception or event.

Be part of the New Orleans tradition with a customized second line sash. The sash is traditionally worn by the Grand Marshal who leads the second line parade. The sash can be created with the name of the company and made out of fabrics in the company colors.

Lead the second line parade or dance with the fun prop of the second grand marshal with a second line umbrella. The umbrellas are created in the company colors and can include detailed design or logos of the company.

Branded Handkerchiefs are perfect for parades or for seated dinners. Embroidered handkerchiefs are also available for those looking for an elegant touch.

New Orleans is home to some of the best music in the world; and where do those great musicians get there start? They begin their careers playing in some of the country’s best high school marching bands. Basic marching bands consist of the band with their school banner, but can also include the auxiliary that are made up of flags, cheerleaders, baton twirlers and more.

Strutting and jumping and high-stepping beneath their decorated parasols – blowing whistles and waving feathered fans – African-American members of New Orleans’ social aid and pleasure clubs are the organizers, originators, and sponsors of the second line parades for which the city is famous.

In the south, no event is finished without a branded koozie take away

EIt’s southern thing to include chill wrap can holders that we refer to as “doozies” at every event. These branded pieces often include the date and name of the event and always have a logo to compliment the design. We recommend leaving them on the bar or giving them away at the door so those guests enjoying caned or bottled beverages can walk around with this logo design in hand and never worry about their beverage getting too warm.

Our LED Stilt Walkers are sure to delight guests with their elegant costumes that will “light" up any event! These one of a kind looks are perfect for a grand entrance as well as interactive entertainment on the dance floor. 

This tradition of "masking" has been featured on HBO's Treme. Exquisitely adorned Mardi Gras Indians work each year to create a new suit of feathers, sequins and hand beading. These Indians are unique to New Orleans and guests will flock to take photos of their exquisite costumes. A photo says 1,000 words.

Treat your VIP’s to a ride on a Mardi Gras Mini Float. These floats are non-motorized miniature floats that are pulled by costumed revelers. Floats can hold one person at a time and roll along, as the VIP tosses beads to the onlookers. A variety of styles including Royal Float, Cajun float, Jester Float and more are available

Let everyone know that your company or organization is parading in a New Orleans traditional parade. These banners are printed in full color with your company or organization’s name and logo. The banners are 8’ long by 3’ tall. Gwendolyn Entertainment will provide the poles needed to carry the banner at the front of the parade.

Photographers will capture your parade with professional and creative style. Each photographer brings their own personal style to the shoot. We can assist with pairing the best photographer to the most approximate event. Photographer captures the best images of your parade from start to finish.

Costumed Mardi Gras style characters greet guests as they enter the party. They can take photos with guests and are great passing out beads or other gifts. Costumes include royalty, jesters, carnival characters and more.

Bring high-energy flare to your event by adding one or more of our illuminated characters.  These one of a kind looks are perfect for a grand entrance as well as interactive entertainment on the dance floor.  They can be booked together or separate depending on your preference.

Costumed Mardi Gras style characters stroll the party and greet guests as they enter the event. They are wonderful for taking photos with guests and passing out beads. A variety of costumes include jesters, Mardi Gras Royalty and colorfully costumed characters.

Mardi Gras royalty is available to stroll the party. They are great as photo opportunities, greeting at the door or staged on royal floats that can double as decor pieces. Crowns and capes are available to rent for guests to enjoy. They make great photos on the floats, strolling the event or greeting guests at the entrance.

Stilt walkers are a fabulous way to incorporate the theme of the party into living decor. Stilt walkers rise high above the guests’ heads and are perfect character markers for parades or outdoor events. They are well placed at the event entrance as they greet guests upon arrival.

Our LED Classic Stilt Walkers are sure to delight guests with their elegant black and white formal costumes that will “light" up any event! These one of a kind looks are perfect for a grand entrance as well as interactive entertainment on the dance floor. They can be booked together or separate depending on your preference.

It’s a New Orleans thing to bring your beverages with you everywhere you go!

It’s no wonder that branded “go cups” are widely popular in Louisiana. In places like New Orleans where open container laws are relaxed, guests can enjoy their chilled beverage with them on the street and out in public. We recommend these branded cups for any event that guests are enjoying the options to drink outdoors including parades, courtyard settings, block parties and any event that clients want their branding “in their guests hands.”

In the city that birthed Jazz, custom branded tuba covers are a  unique way to make your logo stand out! 

We know that guests are excited to share images of their New Orleans experience on social media, so having pop logos in places that are unexpected are perfect to get your branding into the digital world. Custom branded tuba covers are a great way to brand a band and are unique enough that guests will want to capture this since they have likely need seen it before!

In 1909 a group of African American laborers who organized a club named “The Tramps” were inspired by a musical comedy called “There Never Was and Never Will Be a King Like Me” about the Zulu Tribe. It is said this is how the now known Zulu Mardi Gras Krewe came into existence. Today the Zulu Tramps costume as a throwback to the imagery of the Zulus including grass skirts, painted faces and feather headpieces. They are an integral part of of Mardi Gras celebrations.