The Joan of Arc Parade (New Orleans) is held annually on Twelfth Night
(January 6) in honor of Joan of Arc's birthday.  
                              

THE JOAN OF ARC PROJECT WAS FOUNDED IN 2008 BY AMY A. KIRK DUVOISIN TO CELEBRATE THE MAID OF ORLEANS (1412-1431). THE FIRST PARADE WAS HELD JANUARY 6, 2009, ON JOAN OF ARC'S BIRTHDAY, WHICH IN THE MARDI GRAS-CENTRIC CITY OF NEW ORLEANS FORTUITOUSLY COINCIDES WITH TWELFTH NIGHT.

We are a walking parade open to men, women, and children, dedicated to historical costumery, artistry, handmade throws, and the celebration of New Orleans and her ties to France. Joan of Arc embodies the best qualities of New Orleans and her citizens: loyalty, faith, courage, and determination. We honor Joan on her birthday each year by walking in medieval and Renaissance costumes with horses, live music, a variety of quirky and quaint parade throws, medieval carts and banners,  and gifts of king cake and champagne through the French Quarter, from the Bienville statue (representing the founding of New Orleans) to the Joan of Arc statue at Decatur and St. Phillip Street.  At this time we have approximately 35 krewe members and will welcome another 10-15 new members this year. We enjoy being a small, family-friendly krewe with a parade that at this time lasts a brief 30-40 minutes from start to finish. Our parade begins at 6:00 p.m. at Bienville Park on Decatur, goes up Conti Street to Chartres, across Jackson Square in front of St. Louis Cathedral, and continues on Chartres up to St. Phillip where we turn towards the River to reach Joan's statue, a gift from France to the City of New Orleans.

We welcome anyone with an interest in Joan of Arc, be they Catholic or non-Catholic, artist or non-artist, French-speaking or not, male or female, child or adult, who loves to parade, loves history and tradition as much as they love building on both to create something new and interesting, reverent yet eclectic. Our signature throws include 16 wooden decorated swords representing Joan's age when she found her sword at the Church of St. Catherine de Fierbois; handpainted medallions and coins from the locally owned SaintsforSinners.com; matches and candles honoring "the birthday girl" (last year we handed out 598 processional candles to the public who then joined the procession); magnets of Saint Margaret, Saint Michael, and Saint Catherine hand-crafted by Sister Rita of the local Poor Clares; handmade butterflies evoking the legend that Joan's banner was followed by white butterflies; prayer cards;  a variety of decorated items that may include fleur de lis and other relevant references, all made in homage to Joan's time and place--and ours. Last year someone gave out atomic fireball candies...and we won't wholly discount this year's suggested Drew Brees-inspired throw, provided it is creatively crafted to fit our overall parade theme...

The Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc celebrates our "Maid of New Orleans" throughout the year with various events, lectures, book discussions, and public gatherings. Beyond the annual parade, we hold a one-day conference exploring everything from Joan on film and stage to Joan's canonization, as well as French language and costume workshops. Last year's Joan of Arts Fete was held the Sunday before the parade. This year we plan to hold the conference closer to May 31st, her feast day.

Our hotel sponsor and host for our conference, pre-parade party and dinner is The Bienville House Hotel, a generous donor of space, publicity and support since the parade's inception. This year's dinner will be held again at Iris Restaurant, adjacent to the hotel.

We also participate in various French cultural events throughout the year through our association with the Council of French Societies. And, because her golden statue lives in the historic French Market, we have organized several public prayers and pep rallies there asking for Saint Joan's intervention with everything from the New Orleans Saints to the BP oil spill.

Links to press about the Joan of Arc Parade: 

Dionne Charlet's September 2011 article announcing the call for Maid of Honor in New Orleans Parade Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/parade-in-new-orleans/twelfth-night-s-krewe-de-jeanne-d-arc-seeks-teenage-maid-of-orleans

Chris Waddington's 2010 article in the Times-Picayune weekend insert Lagniappe showcases
our Twelfth Night festivities
http://www.nola.com/mardigras/index.ssf/2010/12/have_a_joyful_epiphany_on_thur.html

Marcia Wall's 2010 blog posting on nola.com offers a good overview of our third annual parade

http://blog.nola.com/faith/2011/01/third_annual_joan_of_arc_parad.html

Molly Reid's 2008 article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune explained our origins and announced our first annual parade 
http://blog.nola.com/mollyreid/2008/12/a_new_parade_honoring_joan_of.html

New Orleans columnist Chris Rose calls Joan the "New 'It' Girl" and focusses on our Joan of Arc book club
http://www.nola.com/rose/index.ssf/2009/07/joan_of_arc_is_the_new_it_girl.html

NYC based writer Johanna Safar features the parade in the online publication FRANCE TODAY
http://www.france-amerique.com/articles/2010/01/16/une_parade_pour_jeanne_d_arc_a_la_nouvelle-orleans.html

Molly Reid wrote about us again in 2010, noting our growth and myriad new projects and pursuits
http://www.nola.com/mardigras/index.ssf/2010/01/twelfth_night_kicks_off_carniv_1.html

Ann Maloney announced our first parade in the Times Picayune, calling for marchers
http://blog.nola.com/annmaloney/2008/12/firstever_st_joan_of_arc_parad.html