The Jester’s Club, the sponsoring organization of the Knights of Babylon, was founded on June 24, 1939 by a group of New Orleans professionals who wanted to stage a first-class Parade for the public and a first class Tableau Ball for their ladies.  We continue to adhere to that tradition.  Babylon has always received the highest praise, particularly for doing it the “right way.”  Our floats are the same design they were 70 years ago, we still have the traditional flambeaux and our King’s Float is mule drawn.  Unlike many other organizations, we own all of our floats and we own the den where the floats are housed. 

The parade travels the traditional New Orleans route down St. Charles Avenue.  Our traditional Tableau Ball has been staged at the Municipal Auditorium since the inception of the Organization.  However, due to hurricane damage sustained by the Auditorium in August 2005, we moved our ball and supper dance to the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street and it remains there today. 

Since its inception, Babylon was held on the Wednesday before Mardi Gras.  However, the Krewe of Proteus, who traditionally paraded on Thursday stopped parading in 1992 and as a result, in 1993, Babylon moved its parade and tableaux ball to Thursday before Mardi Gras.  Our 70^th anniversary parade will be Thursday, February 19, 2009.