The Joan of Arc parade tells the story of the life of Joan of Arc

The Town of Domrémy: Joan’s hometown in France, representing Joan as a child. Joan grew up on a modest farm where she cared for the sheep and otherwise lived the life of a typical medieval French child.

Voices of Joan: As a teenager, Joan heard God’s voice through three personas: Saint Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret.  God told her to go to the king. In our parade, each saint has a giant prop: Archangel Michael has a cloud with light beaming through, Saint Catherine has a wheel and Saint Margaret has a dragon.

Lady’s Knights: Accompanied by the bagpipes of France’s Scotch allies, Joan’s knights went into battle to liberate France from its English occupiers in the Hundred Years War.

The Town of Orléans, France:  Joan’s first battle and her first big victory, lifting the English siege on our namesake city Orléans, France, in 1429.  A giant “gates of Orléans” city wall prop recalls the moment when Joan victoriously entered the gates of the rescued city.

King Charles VII: Each year, the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc selects a male community leader who embodies New Orleans’ connection with France to portray King Charles VII, the king Joan’s victories placed back on his rightful throne.

On horseback:

• Maid of Orléans: Each year, the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc selects a female student between the ages of 16-19 to portray Joan of Arc at her real age of leadership. We select a student who is studying French and shows leadership ability.
• Queen Yolande: Each year, the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc selects a female community leader in business who empowers other women to portray Yolande, Charles VII’s mother-in-law, confidante and adviser. Yolande funded and outfitted Joan’s army and encouraged the king to listen to her.
• Warrior Joan: Horsewoman and longtime Krewe member Caye Mitchell portrays Joan as a warrior.
• Bastard: Nicknamed the Bastard, Jean de Dunois was a co-commander with Joan of Arc, helping to lift the siege of Orléans. Played by longtime Krewe member Fred Klotz.

Joan’s Trial: Joan is captured by the enemy, found guilty of heresy in a viciously corrupt church trial, and sentenced to death.  Burgundian bishop Pierre Cauchon led the proceedings, while notary Guillaume Manchon recorded Joan’s testimony, immortalizing her intelligence, courage and devout faith. Skinz-N-Bonez bones gang portrays the corrupt judges.

Flaming Heretics: Joan is burned at the stake in 1431 at the age of 19. The Muffalottas dance troupe portrays the burning flames.

Restoration: Petitioned by the people of France, the pope grants a post-humous retrial of Joan of Arc and she is declared an innocent martyr 25 years after her death in 1456.  Joan’s grieving mother Isabelle is a leader in this movement. A giant bell tower recalls the moment the church bells tolled to announce Joan’s name had been cleared. Hundreds of people who had known and worked with Joan throughout her life testify as character witnesses in this “nullification trial,” providing an extensive historical record of her extraordinary life.

Saint Joan and the Angel Chorus: Joan has been celebrated as a saint by the people from the moment of her death but she was finally formally canonized as a Roman Catholic saint in 1920. The Chorus Girl Project dance troupe portrays Saint Joan surrounded by her angels, symbolizing Joan’s ongoing inspirational influence through the ages.