PHOTOS: Cleopatra, Alla, Oshun kick off Valentine's Day parades Uptown

Riders work the crowd as the 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun rolled down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

PHOTOS: Cleopatra, Alla, Oshun kick off Valentine’s Day parades Uptown

by Michael DeMocker | February 18, 2020

Valentine’s Day? What’s that?! This year, it was the first day of Uptown parades hitting the streets of New Orleans. The krewes of Cleopatra, Alla and Oshun lit up the night of Feb. 14, 2020 kicking off the ramp up to Carnival season.

The 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun rolled down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Baby Dolls pass by as the 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun rolled down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Sampling a couple of pilsners. Photo: Pat Hogan

The Sophie B. Wright Band performs as the 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun rolled down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Queen waves to the crowd as the 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun rolled down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The crowd gets the goods as the 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun rolled down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Grand Marshall float passes as the 300 members of the Krewe of Oshun roll down the Uptown parade route with an 18-float parade entitled “The Message is Love”. Cordell Chambliss reigned as Shango and Joan Ann Brown was Queen Oshun as the krewe presented their 24th annual parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Cleopatra greets the crowd as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The crowd catches throws at St. Charles and Napoleon as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Revelers take a selfie as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The St. Paul’s Marching Band performs as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Krewe Des Fleurs passes by as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

A rider tosses the goods on Napoleon Avenue as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Revelers catch beads at St. Charles and Napoleon as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Riders work the crowd as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra rolled down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Sirens pass by as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra rolled down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Disco Amigos perform at St. Charles and Napoleon as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The crowd catches throws as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra rolled down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The St. Aug Marching 100 performs as the 1500 women of the Krewe of Cleopatra roll down the Uptown parade route with a 21-float parade entitled “Cleopatra’s Valentine Vixens” led by Cleopatra XLVII Amanda M. Roudolfich on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Simpsons float passes as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Muppet Show float passes as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

A maid rides past as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

A chicken waves for beads as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Revelers get beads on Napoleon Avenue as 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

A rider tosses beads on Napoleon Avenue as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Queen waves to the crowd as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

A rider tosses a cup on Napoleon Avenue as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Landry Walker Band performs as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Allagator passes by as the 500 members of the Krewe of Alla roll down the Uptown parade route with a 22-float parade entitled “Friday Night Flicks and Fun!” King Mark Matrana and Queen Heather Green Matrana reigned over the krewe’s 88th parade on Friday, February 14, 2020. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

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Michael DeMocker

Michael DeMocker has been a photojournalist in New Orleans for over twenty years. He’s been the National Press Photographer Association’s Regional Photographer of the Year three times and loves photographing all things New Orleans. He lives Uptown with his wife, son, and two dogs of varying intelligence.

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