If New Orleans teaches you anything, it’s that everyone is always on their way to some kind of parade. The whole of life is a p’rade. We are either building and decorating the float, riding it, throwing something from it, or watching it go by and hoping to catch something. Sometimes you have to know when to turn away, too. Like when David Duke was Grand Marshall of some Krewe running thru Metairie some years back, and when his float rolled up, almost the whole crowd on the sidewalk turned their backs on him. A parade is like that. It’s a living organism. And like any living organism, it needs care and feeding. And cleaning up after. All parade essentials, definitely. Open containers don’t hurt either. Or comfortable yet stylish shoes.
The other thing you learn about parade culture (and isn’t that actually what culture is, a parade to begin with) is that some folks look like they may say they’re not on their way to a parade at all. They may even deny having any intimate knowledge of said parading activity, but almost EVERYONE you meet at any time anywhere is wearing a costume. Suitable for parading, no less. We spent a lot of time figuring out exactly what we’re going to wear this season. Every season. Y’all know there are whole industries making bank on that.
So here’s the takeaway: it’s a parade and nobody is who they appear to be. That should be good enough to start with.
© 2026, John Litzenberg. All rights reserved.
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