Second-line season returns to New Orleans
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Second-lines are back this week after New Orleans' annual pause, when social aid and pleasure clubs bypass some of the worst summer heat.
Why it matters: The season will begin without any of last year's hubbub over potentially costly new rules for how the parades operate.
Catch up quick: Last year's season started with a bang when the New Orleans Police Department said it would enforce costly insurance requirements for trailers and trolleys in second-line parades.
- Swift protest and action by City Council ended that enforcement before it began.
- The council directed NOPD and social aid and pleasure club stakeholders to go back to the drawing board to come up with new rules that wouldn't endanger the clubs' traditions.
Yes, but: That didn't happen, so second-lines will begin again without new rules attached.
- "There hasn't been a discussion," says Tamara Jackson, a club member and second-line community advocate. "Some changes are likely to be imposed but for this current season, we haven't received any notification of such things moving forward."
- And "NOPD will continue to handle the [second-lines] as directed by the council," a department spokeswoman says.
What's next: The 2026-2027 season kicks off with the Valley of Silent Men second-lining Uptown.
Go deeper: WWOZ has the route sheet and full parade schedule here.