Forget “Bluey” and “PAW Patrol” — New Orleans-area children are busy gearing up to celebrate a new season of Carnival.
Leading the charge for the young set is the Krewe of Little Rascals, a familiar sight since its founding in 1983 by Jack and Maureen Spittler. The children’s float parade, with members ages 2 to 19, will roll in Metairie on Feb. 1 to help kickoff the 2026 festivities.
Crowds turn out for the Metairie parade in 2025.
Jack Spittler Jr. said to expect about 50 units, including 10 double-decker floats, with riders throwing beads, cups, wooden nickels, and other goodies.
He and his mother currently are co-captains, keeping the family tradition rolling since his father’s death in late 2023. The 2024 parade was canceled; it returned last year, although without the traditional royalty and kid-centric Carnival ball patterned on the formal adult versions.
“Since my father passed, we have also chosen to have only a parade as we navigate things without him. This will change next year (2027) as we are planning to have a full court and ball experience,” Spittler said.
The Krewe of Little Rascals paraded with a dozen floats in 2025 and saluted its late founder, Jack Spittler Sr.
Royalty is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. “In the past, we have had a waiting list that anyone could get on as they choose for the open positions. The court typically consists of a king and queen, at least one captain, 10 maids and dukes, a prince and princess, as well as flower girls, heralds, and other attendants,” he explained.
The balls offer the same pomp and circumstance of traditional Mardi Gras. “We have a full dress ball masque where our captain presides over the presentation of our king and queen and their court. … There’s nothing better than seeing all the kids in their costumes,” Spittler said.
A lucky little girl gets a personal handoff from a rider in 2025.
He talked about his parents’ inspiration in forming the krewe.
“After spending years in the Krewe of Aquila and having children of their own, my parents wanted to give the children of the community the ability to experience Mardi Gras in a way that would rival any of the adult krewes,” he said. “With the help of friends like Mrs. Dot and Dr. Dave Cook and community leaders such as Al Copeland Sr. and Dr. Alton Ochsner they set out to do exactly that.”
Along with its longevity, there’s another sign of Little Rascals’ success: Spittler quoted Arthur Hardy as calling the krewe “the longest running and most flamboyant children’s organization in Mardi Gras history.”
The Krewe of Little Rascals patterns itself after adult Carnival clubs, including royalty and a Mardi-Gras ball and parade. Those traditions have been paused the past two years after the death of krewe co-founder Jack Spittler Sr., but will return in 2027.
The krewe was built to promote leadership and self-esteem in members and fellowship among families, according to its website. “Children should be children, and all children should have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential regardless of race, color, economic background, religion or special needs.” That translates into the inclusion of members with emotional and physical challenges.
“We have long standing relationships with many organizations throughout the city including the Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans,” Spittler said. “Depending on the particular needs, we do what we have to do to ensure that every one of our members has an amazing and safe time while riding with us without feeling limited in any way.”
Running a krewe for kids, however, comes with its own set of hurdles.
Founded in 1983, the parade lets kids throw trinkets to other kids.
“I’d say our biggest challenge is staying relevant,” Spittler said. “Our membership ages out after 19 years old, meaning that we have to continually renew our roster and fill in places that are open. We have been blessed with second- and third-generation members. It is the shared memories between parents and children that are at the core of our success and longevity.”
Given the sometimes rowdy image of Carnival, some might see keeping the event appropriate for children as a challenge as well. But Spittler doesn’t think that way.
“I guess it depends on how you view the spirit of Mardi Gras. Through my childhood with the krewe, my view of the Mardi Gras spirit is shaped by family and fun,” he said. “It’s not the same kind of revelry that most attribute to the season, I’m sure. Come out to the parade on Sunday. … The Mardi Gras spirit is in all of the smiling faces that you will see on the street and on the floats every year.”
To find out more, or to thekreweoflittlerascals.org or email at [email protected]. Follow the krewe on Facebook and Instagram.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
