Mardi Gras is rolling along the best we can this year and New Orleans City Park, this morning, announced their contribution! "Floats in the Oaks," a fundraiser for the park, allows families to safely participate in a "parade type event" by viewing stationary floats while driving by in their cars on the 1.3 mile loop.

"Floats in the Oaks" offers both daytime and nighttime ticket opportunities, as well as add-on experiences like snacks and a train ride. Rex, Zulu, Bacchus, Hermes, Thoth, King Arthur, Argus, Alla, Morpheus, Iris, Pygmalion, Mid-City, Tucks, Femme Fatale, Babylon, Druids, and Carrollton are the krewes who are contributing to this event so far. The park is actively seeking additional krewes and parade entertainment groups to participate in the fundraiser. They are aiming to have as many elements of a parade present as possible while continuing to abide by Covid safety protocols. Email floatsintheoaks@nocp.org by the end of the day on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 if you're interested in participating or learning more. 

"City Park is looking forward to bringing a little bit of Mardi Gras to the people of the area, all while doing so safely. City Park will use the funds raised to maintain and operate the 1,300 acres," says Rob DeViney, COO, "so everyone in our community can continue to enjoy the Park."

The COVID-19 pandemic has financially impacted City Park significantly with the closure of revenue generating facilities, which makeup 90% of the Park’s operating budget, such as weddings, catered events, and the amusement park. Floats in the Oaks will provide revenue to offset these financial losses.

"Floats in the Oaks" will be open Feb. 4 through Feb. 14. Weekday hours at 5-10pm and weekend hours at 1-10pm. Weekend tickets are $10 per car from 1-5pm. Evening tickets, any day of the week, are $20 per car. Tickets on sale now at neworleanscitypark.com/floats-in-the-oaks. Entrance is located at 2 Freidrichs Avenue, the same entrance that was used for "Celebration in the Oaks" during the 2020 holiday season.