Character-clad Star Wars fans take to the streets of New Orleans to honor the sci-fi film

The force was strong with thousands of ‘Star Wars’ fans gathering in New Orleans on Saturday night to pay tribute to the iconic sci-fi film.

The large group performed in the French Quarter in New Orleans, and Marigny dressed from head to toe in costumes ranging from Princess Leia to a pink Chewbacca.

Attendees celebrated the full-scale return of the 13th annual event after the parade was halted in 2022 due to a police shortage.

The event, hosted by Shreveport’s Drew Barry, celebrates the Wookiees, the fictional aliens from the Star Wars universe known for their fur and height.

Attendees are encouraged to create their own costumes, themed, of course, for the early Mardi Gras celebration.

Organizers say that after three years of the event shaking and shrinking, they were poised to go big for 2023.

“We work without city councilor Freddie King and prepare all year long,” Chewbacchus overlord Simonette Berry said. WWL in New Orleans.

according to the group websiteChewbacchus’s Krewe is a ‘Organizing the Mardi Gras parade for the hardest partying Star Wars fans, Trekkies, Whovians, mega-geeks, circuit manipulators, cryptozooligists, UFO conspiracy theorists, mad scientists, and members of all other nerdoms.

“We figured out how to hire additional security, and so when it came time to complete our permits, we were ready to go,” Berry said.

Last year the route was cut in half to just 1 mile long, but now it’s up to 2 miles.

Last year the route was cut in half to just 1 mile long, but now it’s up to 2 miles

This was an item thrown by Krewe members during the Saturday night ‘Star Wars’ parade.

According to the group’s website, the Krewe of Chewbacchus is a “Mardi Gras parade organization for the hardest-partying Star Wars fans, Trekkies, Whovians, mega-geeks, circuit-benders, cryptozooligists, UFO conspiracy theorists, scientific madmen and members of all the rest”. nerds’

A woman dressed as a glittering Princess Leia

You read loads! The event attracted the main fans of the galactic princess.

The Mandalorian also made an appearance during the parade

Some of the attendees took the opportunity to show off their makeup and wardrobe skills.

Collectors took to the streets of New Orleans to celebrate ‘Star Wars’ and other fandoms

This ‘Star Trek’ item was dropped during the Saturday night parade.

Attendees say they were glad to be prepared, too.

‘Oh, it’s great that it was too short last year. Yes, it was very short. We’re glad he’s back,” Krewe member Sarah Post told fox 8 live.

A krewe is a social group that organizes a parade during the carnival season, most often associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

This year, Mardi Gras takes place on February 21.

Some ‘Avatar’ lovers appeared decked out from head to toe in blue

A Krewe member appeared on an incredibly detailed and intricate screen.

This pin refers to a business on Tatooine, a planet in ‘Star Wars’

It’s a crossover! James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ Meets George Lucas’ ‘Star Wars’

Fandoms Unite: The event brought together fans of all the different sci-fi TV shows and movies.

According to the local media, Chewbacchus is one of the easiest krewes to participate.

‘We’re Tulane students and we’ve done a few Mardi Gras’ and we’re excited to be a part of the community. Is awesome. We were so lucky with the weather; the sunset was beautiful. It’s been a great day,’ said Jack Clarke, who signed up a few weeks ago.

The theme of this year’s parade was ‘Let the Wookiee win’.

The group carried the party for hours as the ‘Chewbacchanal’ made their way to local bars and restaurants for the first ever Mardi Gras celebrations.

They came in peace! Some just gravitated towards the sci-fi theme.

This year’s parade route was two miles long and passed through the French Quarter and Marigny.

These are some of the items thrown by krewe members during the parade.