SHREVEPORT, LA – Now that the confetti has settled and the last beads have been caught, we look back at some of the most memorable floats from this year's Krewe of Highland parade—each carrying a story that made this Mardi Gras season one to remember.
Mardi Gras may be over, but two weeks later, the stories from this year’s Krewe of Highland parade are still worth telling. From heartfelt tributes to floating legends, the boats in this year’s parade carried more than just riders—they carried stories of a strong community, remembrance and hope. For this article, we look at some of the most memorable floats and the legacies they continue to honor.
Fight Like Emilie – A Mardi Gras Wish Turned Legacy Childhood Cancer Awareness
For the past seven years, Fight Like Emilie has been more than just a float—it’s been a mission. LSUS Professor Trey Gibson has steered it with purpose, raising awareness for childhood cancer after losing his daughter, Emilie.
Dr. Gibson and his family have been taking important steps towards raising funds for research and awareness around the issue both locally and nationally, recently making a trip to Washington discuss funding opportunities. Their story, however, started from a wish Emilie mentioned around the time of her diagnosis: she wanted to be a Mardi Gras queen. Her family made that dream come true, turning a float into her castle. On their first parade on the float,
“She told me there weren’t any childhood cancer awareness floats,” Gibson recalled. “So we made one.”
Emilie passed away before their next parade, but her family kept the float (and a critical mission) going. Each year the float delivers beads, toys, and candies as part of the parade- all while spreading a very important message. They have been fighting like champions, fighting like Emilie.
To learn more on their story and learn how to get involved, visit Louisiana’s chapter of The Cure Starts Now, click here.
Krewe of Peggy: A Royal Invitation and a Floating Tribute
Another heartwarming backstory to a float comes from the Krewe of Peggy, a tribute to a queen chosen by the people who loved her.
In 2016, krewe members approached Ms. Peggy at church and asked if she would be their Mardi Gras queen. At 91, she accepted the honor, and from that moment on, her name became part of Highland’s parade history.
The float, Dawn Treader—named after the ship in The Chronicles of Narnia—became a staple of the celebration, beautifully crafted and full of character, much like Peggy herself. On the back, the float proudly reads “Est 1925”—a nod to Ms. Peggy`s birth year. Though Peggy has since passed, the krewe keeps her legacy rolling through Highland each year, proving that some invitations, like some traditions, are meant to last.
Bombshells: A Tribute to the Greatest Generation
Another float honoring legacy and service is Bombshells, a rolling tribute to World War II veterans. Families contribute photos of loved ones, their faces framed alongside vintage bomber art and squadron insignias. The float’s design echoes wartime aircraft, complete with nose art and banners of red, white, and blue.
Names of historic battle sites like Ste. Mère-Église mark the float, a nod to the sacrifices made. As it rolled through Highland today, Bombshells stood as more than a spectacle—it was a salute, a moving reminder that the Greatest Generation’s stories still march on.
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