Portlanders Celebrate Mardi Gras on Mississippi Avenue

Annual parade brings New Orleans-style festivities to North Portland

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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On Tuesday, hundreds of people gathered along Mississippi Avenue in North Portland to celebrate the 13th annual Mardi Gras parade. The parade, organized by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, features creative costumes, giant puppets, and a shared cultural exchange between Portland and New Orleans.

Why it matters

The Mardi Gras parade on Mississippi Avenue has become a beloved annual tradition that allows Portlanders to experience the vibrant culture and festivities of New Orleans without having to travel across the country. It showcases the city's creative community and serves as a unifying event for the North Portland neighborhood.

The details

The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, a group of New Orleans expatriates, started the parade 13 years ago as a way to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to Portland. This year's parade featured many local creatives, including professional mask maker Moni Sears and her spouse Rick, who have participated in Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans for years. The parade is considered the last Mardi Gras celebration in the country due to its late timing on the West Coast.

  • The Mardi Gras parade on Mississippi Avenue has been an annual event for 13 years.
  • The parade took place on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Mysti Krewe of Nimbus

A group of New Orleans expatriates who formed to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to Portland and started the annual parade 13 years ago.

Moni Sears

A professional mask maker who participated in the parade with her spouse Rick, having previously attended Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

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What they’re saying

“Our krewe, the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, formed kind of a bunch of expatriates, came from the South, got together, said we miss New Orleans, and put together a ball. And then within a few short years [later]... started a parade.”

— Bridget Bayer, Parade Coordinator (kgw.com)

“Well, I'm kind of the ringleader of a collection of creative people here in North Portland that like to make giant puppets. My spouse Rick and I were doing Mardi Gras in New Orleans for a number of years... We would go there to sell masks and just loved it so much. And then after our son was born, it was a lot harder to travel and like, well, there's Mardi Gras here now, so why don't we see how we could be part of that?”

— Moni Sears, Professional Mask Maker (kgw.com)

What’s next

The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus is already planning next year's Mardi Gras parade on Mississippi Avenue, which will take place on February 17, 2027.

The takeaway

The annual Mardi Gras parade on Mississippi Avenue has become a cherished tradition that allows Portlanders to experience the vibrant culture and festivities of New Orleans without having to travel across the country. It showcases the creativity of the local community and serves as a unifying event for the North Portland neighborhood.