Krewe of Oshun

This parade is best with a buzz. The bands were great, the floats were beautiful. The south side of Lee Circle got far more throws than the north side, and that isn’t really saying much at all. The Krewes did seem more interested in those on their float than spectators. I always like seeing the bands and dancers especially when they seem to outnumber the floats any way. I wish they had more throws.
I like Suzanne’s idea of having a beer pairing, and Abita Seersucker is something I can get behind for this parade. I was finishing off a Moscow Mule as this parade started, which was nice as well.
This parade is a nice entry in to easing in to the Mardi Gras season. It is not a long parade.

Another solid run from Oshun. I don’t love their royalty to actual float ratio, but they usually have a great mix of smaller marching groups and clever themes.
The 2016 theme of «under the sea» (or something like) was actually a good fit for the floats and throws Oshun often has. Some of the floats were finished poorly, but I can’t fault the krewe that manages to roll first every year.
I think the Tee Eva babydolls were an extra special touch. Not many babydoll groups still exist in New Orleans. It’s always exciting to see traditions highlighted in the parades.
I did like the floats that had their own djs, and the pairing of Oshun with Cleopatra makes this parade a tasty appetizer and something I enjoy.
Ideal beer pairing: Abita Seersucker. Light, crisp, and the perfect opener for a whole season.

I left before it ended. The floats hardly threw any beads around the Lee Circle area. It lacked the energy this year as well. Th highlight was the Elvis guy who did his part trying to excite the crowds.

The
Marching
Bands were good
But the floats lacked
The energy and swag of other Krewes.

Um. No. I don’t like parades where the Krewe is more concerned with getting drunk than throwing beads. Tonight we encountered float after float of people literally just waving to the crowd and not doing anything else. It was sad. There were pretty much zero throws from this parade and the riders were obviously only there to drink and throw stuff to their friends. Skip it.

Oshun is alright. This year, due to superbowl arranging of the parades, it rolled on the same night as Cleopatra (the latest to move from the Westbank). It’s a short parade, but it’s fun for the kids, and not nearly as crowded as some of the larger uptown parades.

Krewe of Oshun (I’m told it’s pronounced Ocean) was my introduction to the Uptown parade scene. I think this is a good parade to get your feet wet. The parade itself is pretty short (although made longer this year due to a breakdown of someone’s float midway through the route). The riders are very enthusiastic and very excited about the parade. The floats are OK, but the bigger parades are much more impressive in their displays. The high school bands and dance teams put on a good show this year. This parade is not something I would go out of my way for, although if you’re watching it with an awesome party group like Krewe of Kondo you can’t go wrong! It’s a cool way to spend a beautiful Friday night to kicking off parade season. Also, make sure you watch the crowd as well as the parade. The entertainment is sometimes better; the dance party on the neutral ground, the spontaneous group dance in the middle of the street, or the guy who decides to hump a car in the middle of the parade. The possibilities are endless.

Oshun is the first of the Uptown parades each season and it’s not a very large parade. But points to them for fighting it out and keeping their krewe together in tough economic times. The floats actually seemed to be fully occupied this year… which is not always the case.
Extra points for having St. Mary’s and Xavier Prep marching, they have great bands.