Krewe of Winnetka Heights Does It Again

The Winnetka Heights speakeasy rounds out the Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade. (Photo: Jessica Koller)

It was appropriate that the Krewe of Winnetka Heights was the final float of the Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade this afternoon. After all, you want to save the best for last.

The group that celebrated the Age of Aquarius in 2011 and the Days of Disco last year took us back to the Prohibition Era today. Per usual, the Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association draped Holli Murray across the hood of a truck, which is always enough to get my attention. But the krewe kicked it up a notch this year. Lee Ruiz brandished a confetti cannon, and neighbors who were dressed as cops and gangsters took a break from bead throwing to do a semi-coordinated dance routine to “The Charleston.” Then the comedic aspect of the presentation broke out: The music switched to “Gangnam Style.” I don’t know the name of the woman who was on the mic, but I appreciated the ironic humor of her request that we sing along to the South Korean hit: “Come on, you know the words!”

For all of these reasons plus its sophisticated decor, the Krewe of Winnetka Heights float was named the best entry in the parade by a distinguished panel of judges: Roy Appleton of The Dallas Morning News, Melissa O’Brien of the Hewitt & Habgood Realty Group, and yours truly. Second place went to the Tradewinds Social Club, which had a float complete with a giant crawfish, a live band, and dancing go-go girls. Third place went to the World Famous Wheelie-ing Elvi, which I could try to explain, but it’s easier to just give you a link.

While I can’t speak for my fellow judges, some of my other personal favorites were the Wicked Krewe of Winnetka Avenue (this lifelong fanboy will always have a soft spot for people dressed as superheroes), the Kings Highway Conservation District (featuring such royalty as the King of Cards, King Tut, and Chicken a la King), and the Dallas Zoo Krewe (whose float had a working waterfall and live penguins).

Kudos to Amy Cowan and the rest of the Go Oak Cliff crew for putting on such a fun, family-friendly event. This parade gets more and more impressive each year. Be sure to pick up this week’s edition of Oak Cliff People for plenty more photos.