Knights of Babylon

Knights of Babylon is a New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe that was founded in 1939.[1]

Knights of Babylon
AbbreviationKoB
Named afterBabylon
MottoCarnival begins when Babylon rolls.
Formation1939 (1939)
TypeCarnival Krewe
Location
  • New Orleans, LA.
Membership
250
Websiteknightsofbabylon.org

Parade

The Knights of Babylon parade on Jeudi Gras, the Thursday night prior to Mardi Gras. The parade follows the uptown route for parades starting at Napoleon Avenue and Magazine Street; proceed north to St. Charles; proceed east on St. Charles to Lee Circle continuing on St. Charles to Canal Street.

The Knights of Babylon utilize flambeaux to light the parade route.

Parade themes
  • 2018 Gifts of the Gods to New Orleans
  • 2017 The Lure & Legends of Gold
  • 2016 Enchantments and Transformations
  • 2015 Babylonian Pantheon
  • 2014 Thanks for the Memories
  • 2013 The Land of Dreams
  • 2012 The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
  • 2011 Babylonian Birthstones
  • 2010 Masks of Men
  • 2009 Living Jewels
  • 2008 The Babylonian Sky
  • 2007 The Chinese Expeditions
  • 2006 Out from Under
  • 2005 A Frolic in Fairyland
  • 2004 The Pirates of Penzance
  • 2003 Sauntering Through Sondheim
  • 2002 Guys and Dolls
  • 2001 Wonderful Land of Oz
  • 2000 L’histoire de Notre Heritage Francais
  • 1999 For the Love of Opera
  • 1998 Yankee Doodle Boy
  • 1997 South Pacific
  • 1996 Gigi
  • 1995 Music Man
  • 1994 New Moon
  • 1993 Naughty Marietta
  • 1992 Carmen
  • 1991 Oliver Twist
  • 1990 Pygmalion
  • 1989 The Golden years
  • 1988 The Trapp Family Singers
  • 1987 Oklahoma
  • 1986 The Matchmaker
  • 1985 Desert Song
  • 1984 Once and Future King
  • 1983 Kismet
  • 1982 Snow White
  • 1981 Tevye's Tales
  • 1980 Babes in Toyland
  • 1979 Henry VIII
  • 1978 Mozart
  • 1977 The Little Glass Slipper
  • 1976 Commander Matthew C. Perry
  • 1975 Robin Hood
  • 1974 Anna and the King Siam
  • 1973 Aida
  • 1972 Peer Gynt
  • 1971 The Student Prince
  • 1970 Around the World in Eighty Days
  • 1969 Don Quixote
  • 1968 Gone are the Days
  • 1967 Behind the Golden Curtain
  • 1966 Benjamin Franklin
  • 1965 Poems of Youth
  • 1964 Le Ballet
  • 1963 Hans Christian Anderson
  • 1962 The Musical Theater
  • 1961 Rogues and Renegades
  • 1960 Alice in Wonderland
  • 1959 Arts through the Ages
  • 1958 Scenes from the Opera
  • 1957 Makers of History
  • 1956 The Theatre
  • 1955 Masks
  • 1954 Tales: Old, Ever New
  • 1953 Fabulous Festivals
  • 1952 Contributions to Civilization
  • 1951 Historical Highlights
  • 1950 The Marches
  • 1949 The Sciences
  • 1948 Fancy's Flight
  • 1947 The Arts
  • 1946 No Parade - World War II
  • 1945 No Parade - World War II
  • 1944 No Parade - World War II
  • 1943 No Parade - World War II
  • 1942 No Parade - World War II
  • 1941 Capricious Nature
  • 1940 Travelogue

Royal court

The Knights of Babylon annually present a royal court including a King Sargon of Akkad, Sargon's Queen, Sargon's royal pages, the queen's royal pages, ladies in waiting, princesses, and royal maids. The identity of King Sargon is kept secret and is never revealed.

Iconic floats
  • Sargon is the first float of the parade and carries Sargon the Magnificent, the annually selected king of the krewe, and four royal pages. The float is pulled by mule and is made entirely of papier mâché.
  • The Carrollton Streetcar carries the officers of the Knights of Babylon. The float pays homage to the oldest continuously running streetcar line in the United States. The float is pulled by mule.
  • Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built to please the king’s wife, the fabled Hanging Gardens garnered global fame and adorned the palace of Nebuchadnezzar.
  • Gates of Ishtar are the main gates that open to the ancient city of Babylon.
  • The Babylonian Barge is modeled after the barges used on the Nile River by the Babylonians and debuted in 2014.[2]
  • The Jester's Float traditionally carries young knights of the krewe. The Jesters Float was named in honor of the Jesters Club, the parent club of the Knights of Babylon.

Throws

Trinkets, collectables, masks, and beads tossed by hand from riders of the floats are called throws. Collectible throws from the Knights of Babylon include the light up necklaces, light up jester beads, light up streetcar necklace, and jester hats.

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References
  1. Kolb, Carolyn (February 2009). "Knight Life". New Orleans Magazine.
  2. Strachan, Sue (March 11, 2014). "Knights of Babylon commemorate 75 years with a memorable parade and ball". NOLA.com The Times-Picayune.
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