Krewe des Fleurs, a sustainability-focused costume and performance collective, will hold their 2024 costume debut on January 6, 2024, at 3 p.m. The krewe will gather for photos in Crescent Park in the Marigny on the west end of the park by the Mandeville Shed, and then will depart for a stroll through the French Quarter. This event celebrates the return of the Mardi Gras season and welcomes public participation and photographs.

Following their varietal debut and French Quarter stroll, the Krewe is thrilled to be part of the official beginning of Carnival season in New Orleans by walking in the Joan of Arc parade through the French Quarter, which begins at 7 p.m.

2024 also marks Krewe des Fleurs’ 10th anniversary celebration, which will span 2024 and 2025. The Krewe was officially founded in 2014, with its first parade appearance at Krewe Boheme in 2015. Since its founding, the Krewe has proudly participated in hundreds of parades, events, and appearances, and has debuted ten different flower varietals through the years.

This year’s varietal is very special to the Krewe. Krewe des Fleurs President Leslie Lewis says, “this year’s flower is our most intricate and beautifully complex design yet. The design and build process was again managed by artist and veteran Fleur Lindsay DeBlieux, and what Lindsay has accomplished with this stunning flower is truly remarkable. We are bringing to life something that our krewe has never done before, and which feels totally appropriate as we mark ten years of joy and revelry with the krewe. This flower is persistent, beautiful, and always turns its face to the sun. We can’t wait to share our 10th anniversary flower with the city of New Orleans!”

The public can expect to enjoy a magical moving garden made up of vibrant colors and a wide variety of textures and embellishments. Under the guidance of DeBlieux and the krewe’s leadership, the 45 members meet regularly to help one another build, paint, and adorn their flower costumes each year. In keeping with the commitment to environmental sustainability, Krewe members often upcycle and refresh existing costumes.

The Krewe proudly carries no plastic on the parade route, and distributes all sustainable throws, including “seeds as beads” packets, wooden nickels, and commemorative flower throws made of upcycled materials. In addition to the Joan of Arc parade, Krewe des Fleurs will walk in Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Iris, and Krewe of Sparta/Mystical Order of the Phoenix parades in 2024. The Krewe also maintains a year-round schedule of appearances and events.

Along with the support of the Krewe’s dedicated “Guardeners”, the all female-identifying members believe that revelry and joy are integral to New Orleans, and share a commitment to the krewe’s mission, which is to create a sustainable Mardi Gras and spread eco-friendly, ‘Mardi Gras Magic’ year-round. Photos from the event will also be shared on the group’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Learn more about the Krewe here.