With popular newcomers like Muses and Nyx building on the legacy of this all-female krewe, Iris is still one of the largest ladies’ krewe in Carnival, with over 950 members. The krewe first paraded in 1959 but traces its roots to 1917.
Its namesake is the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Last year, the gods of the weather were not kind, though, and Iris took the historic step of postponing its parade to Bacchus Sunday. Iris’ maids and dukes wear elaborately-decorated costumes (and traditional white gloves) and they and the krewe members toss dozens of specialty throws. Its parade kicks off a big Saturday of parading in New Orleans.
