Parade Day 2011

What a great day! We had the largest crowds we have ever seen.

Following a fun-loving Bloody Mary street party in front of the Court of Two Sisters, Corkians sat down to a delicious lunch featuring champagne and red and white wines.

Our 11th annual parade was led by Grand Marshal John Conover, from Plumpjack and Cade Wines, along with 2011 Queen Yvette deBlanc, looking splendid in her beautiful gown, as she paraded through the French Quarter beside King Patrick Van Hoorebeek.

Great Weather!
Fantastic Crowds!
Terrific music from Freddie Lonzo and the Cork Poppas from da Region!
All together equaled an incredible day!

Our 300 Corkians paraded through the French Quarter directed by Captain Bill Trufant and his Lt’s: Frank Piccolo, Greg Pierce, Richard Hoener, Ronnie Laporte, Maurice Rose and Walter Zehner, who helped with the crowd control and kept the parade moving.

All Sparkling members paraded with many varied costumes. Awards were presented for those most creative costumes complementing the wine and food theme. Winners were selected in three categories: Best Use of Corks, Best Group, Best of Show.  You can see many of the costumes by browsing the photo gallery in this website and looking at parade day pictures for this year.

A big thank you goes to our Wine Police, who just kept on pouring, and to the volunteers, who helped make this wonderful parade happen. Without their hard work, we could not have put on this parade. And of course, let us not forget our most generous sponsors. Thank you so much!

Upon arriving at the Royal Sonesta for the King and Queen’s Party, we danced the night away to Sha’ On and Success, feasted on a splendid buffet and, of course, drank more wine.