With an assurance that float parades will once again roll along the streets of New Orleans for the 2022 Carnival season, the Krewe of Endymion announced headline acts for their post-parade party. Motown superstar Diana Ross and pop-band sensation Maroon 5 will headline the Endymion Extravaganza the night of Saturday, February 26.
All Carnival parades in New Orleans were canceled in 2021 due to a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus, but a recent drop in infections and a high vaccination rate within the city of New Orleans offers an assurance that mass gatherings outdoors are safe to proceed. All indoor venues in the city will continue to require proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to entry within 72 hours.
The theme of the 2022 Endymion parade is Legends of Fire and Ice. Neither Ross nor members of Maroon 5, which includes New Orleans-born performer PJ Morton, are expected to ride in the parade, which may be rerouted uptown along St. Charles Avenue rather than its traditional route through Mid-City due to concerns about adequate staffing of police and sanitation workers according to recent statements by city hall officials. A final decision is expected soon.
Additional acts at the Endymion Extravaganza will include Party on the Moon, Groovy 7 and The Wiseguys.
Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes and was Motown’s most successful act in the 1960s. The Supremes were one of the world’s best-selling female groups of all time. They had a total of 12 number one hit singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 including, “Stop in the Name of Love”, “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love”, “Come See About Me”, and “Love Child.” Ross also embarked on an extraordinarily successful solo career which included such hit songs as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Love Hangover,” and “Touch Me in The Morning.”
Maroon 5 stands out as one of the 21st century’s biggest acts. The band won over fans and critics alike with the hybrid rock/R&B sound they introduced on their debut album in 2002, Songs About Jane. To date, the universally renowned Los Angeles band have achieved three Grammy Awards, over 80 million in album sales, 450 million singles worldwide and earned gold and platinum certifications in more than 35 countries.
The Endymion Extravaganza is the only Mardi Gras party traditionally held inside the Superdome. More than 20,000 guests in formal attire gather on the field, which is converted into a massive banquet center and dance floor with a concert stage. The parade enters the stadium at its conclusion and circles the revelers before disbanding.
Endymion is one of only three “super-krewes” in New Orleans. With upwards of 3,000 riders and 37 floats, it is by far the largest parade with the largest crowds at Mardi Gras. Endymion features 37 floats. The motto of the krewe is “Throw Until it Hurts” and riders toss an estimated 15 million throws along the parade route.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the Endymion Extravaganza call (504) 736-0160, or visit the krewe’s website.
