Update: Super Sunday 2018 has been postponed from its original date of Sunday, March 18 to Sunday, March 25. The postponement comes as a result of a severe rain threat this weekend. Below, you can see OffBeat’s original Super Sunday 2018 announcement with parade route and talent lineup. It is unclear what, if any, effect the postponement will have on those details.
The origin of the Mardi Gras Indians’ ties to St. Joseph’s Night is nebulous, but there are reports dating back to before World War I of Black Indian tribes masking in the parades for the Catholic holiday, blending into the white crowds to join the celebration. The tradition goes hand in hand with Super Sunday, the biggest Mardi Gras Indian celebration other than Fat Tuesday. Every year, on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Night, the Indians gather across the city to show off their suits in the daylight before hanging them up for the year.
St. Joseph’s Day falls on Monday, March 19 this year, which means Sunday, March 18 is Super Sunday. The Indians will be out in full force throughout the city that day, but the festivities will center around A.L. Davis Park at Washington Ave. and LaSalle St. The party starts in the park at 11 a.m., where Indian tribes will face off to find out whose suit is the prettiest. At 1 p.m., a second line procession will leave the park, heading north and LaSalle St., moving onto Simon Bolivar. Ave., turning left onto S. Claiborne Ave., turning left onto Washington Ave. and returning to the park, where the festival will continue.
The Indians will be accompanied by special guest performances from Hot 8 Brass Band, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, TBC Brass Band, Big Al Carson DJ Captain Charles, DJ Jubilee, Young Men Olympian, Lady Buckjumpers, the BRW Singing Group and more. The event is free and open to the public. It only happens once a year and is unlike any event in any other city in the world, so be sure to check it out.
