Krewe of Cleopatra


The Krewe of Cleopatra is an all female krewe and social organization.

History and formation

The Krewe of Cleopatra was established in 1972, becoming the first Carnival Club for women on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. The Krewe made its permanent move from the West Bank to the East Bank after the 2013 carnival season becoming the first all-female organization on the Uptown parade route.
Cleopatra was founded by two sisters from New Orleans in 1972. Having appreciated parades their entire lives as natives of New Orleans, the two women decided to start their own carnival club. They got in touch with a friend at Mardi Gras World, who encouraged them to form the krewe. Once they received the okay from the proper authorities in Gretna and Orleans Parish, The Krewe of Cleopatra was born. The krewe paraded on the West Bank for 39 years, taking one year off after Hurricane Katrina, before making their debut on the Uptown parade route in 2014.

Membership

New members complete a form with accompany application fee. Once application is reviewed and approved member submits dues payment. In 2018 membership grew to over 1,000 members. The Krewe of Cleopatra is the first of the super krewes that roll during the New Orleans Mardi Gras Season and is considered a top ten 2019 parade for ridership with over 1,000 riders. Dolores Kepner, captain and founder, is one of the top 5 longest active serving leaders in New Orleans Mardi Gras at 46 years.

Parade

The parade features floats and bands from Louisiana and Mississippi, including the bands from Terrebonne High, H. L. Bourgeois High, Copiah Academy, Oaklawn Junior High, East St. John, St. James and Morgan City high schools. The annual celebration begins with a Cleopatra pre-parade and ends with the post-parade, Cleo Jubilee. In between the pre and post-parade events, the parade travels down the Uptown parade route on St. Charles Avenue. Other Krewe of Cleopatra events during the year include a Rendezvous Ball in January, as well as a Masquerade Gala in September.

Parade themes

Royal court

The Krewe of Cleopatra annually present a royal court including a Queen Cleopatra and the Jewels of the Nile.