18th Annual Krewe of Rio Parada
Saturday, February 11, 2023
6:30 pm
Downtown Lafayette
“Dive Into Rio” is the theme of 2023 Ball and Parada.
King Pedro XVIII is Blane Comeaux of Abbeville Queen Isabel XVIII is Katherine Steen Comeaux of Abbeville The couple are charter members of the krewe.
Honorary Parade Marshal is 12 yr old Maddox Lawrence of Lafayette He is the 2023 Make-A-Wish Child for the Acadiana area Young Maddox and his family will be riding in the Trolley leading the parade, courtesy of Lafayette Limos and Trolleys.
The krewe will field its fleet of 24 krewe-owned, Brazilian-themed floats. These floats will carry nearly 700 riders. Each float will be loaded down with the krewe’s largest load of beads & throws to date.
Making its second appearance in the parade is a special “Louisiana: Feed Your Soul” Float, which travels the fairs and festivals of the state, courtesy of the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Members of the local media, including our own Renee Revett, will be riding this float.
Rio is known for its unique collection of walking and dancing performers.
Scheduled to appear this year are:
The Acadan Circus of Baton Rouge
The 501st Legion of Star Wars Characters
The Louisiana Ghostbusters
Lafayette’s own Lagniappe Ladies
The new Latino dance group called The Shining Krewe
Plus a fun variety of youth marching and dance groups
Over 100 illuminated Bicyclists
Twenty illuminated Jeeps, members of the Louisiana Jeepers
Plus Acadiana men & women from throughout the community walking in inflatable costumes like Sharks and Soccer Players
Krewe began in April, 2005 and held its first parade just a few months later in February, 2006 with Dukes of Hazzard’s John Schneider as the Duque du Parada (Parade Marshal) and 16 floats rented from Houma. Over the past 18 years, the parade has grown to include 24 krewe-owned floats, nearly 700 riders and over 500 walking/dancing performers.
Throughout the year, members of Rio enjoy
Ball in January
Parada always ten days before fat Tuesday
Crawfish Boil in April
Sambada in July
Visit the Krewe of Rio website at www.riolafayette.com
Follow Rio on social media at
Facebook: /kreweofcarnivaleenrio
Instagram: @kreweofrio
