DomCon NOLA

The purpose of a traditional “Big Easy” second line parade is to memorialize the passing of loved ones while simultaneously celebrating life. The parade begins with the band playing a sad dirge with paraders taking slow mournful steps, but soon the mood shifts as the band breaks out in joyous music and the paraders strut waving brightly colored parasols and hankies. Spectators are encouraged to jump in to grow the revelry.

DomCon’s Second Line Parade recognizes the loss of professional dominants and BDSM community members who have passed away each year with paraders carrying the customary poster portraits of the departed.

What’s different about our second line parade is many participants express their appreciation for BDSM community life by wearing street-legal fetish attire (all private parts covered) and/or elaborate costumes while parading the French Quarter.

In another non-traditional twist, DomCon’s second line parade is led by our Parade Queen, who is crowned in recognition of their contributions to the BDSM community each year during the convention’s opening ceremonies.

“Like New Orleans, the BDSM Community is rich with tradition” stated Mistress Cyan, DomCon founder. “Our parade mourns the loss of BDSM community members, by proudly marching together with those who are still with us.”

2025 PARADE DETAILS

DATE & TIME
Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Please meet in front of the hotel by 6:45pm

PARADE ROUTE AND LENGTH
The parade route varies depending on the route approved by the city.
            Length of the parade is about ½ mile.
            The parade lasts about 30 minutes.

START LOCATION
739 Canal Street, New Orleans (in front of the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel)

It’s free and open to the public!

You don’t have to attend the DomCon conference to parade with us, and as is customary in second line parades, the general public can and do join along the parade route.

Complimentary parasols and hankies will be available on a first come basis at the hotel entrance (while supplies last)

WHAT TO WEAR

• ALL CLOTHING MUST BE STREET-LEGAL
• ***Breasts, Bottoms & Genitals MUST be Covered***
• Shoes for comfortably walking a ½ mile on the street
• Fetish Attire
• Parade Costumery
• Formal Dress
• Casual Clothing
• Mask (photos will be taken, masks are advised for anonymity)

WHAT TO BRING

• ***No BDSM Toys/Leashes Please***
• Parasols (brightly colored long-handled parasols can be found in NOLA shops)
• Hankies
• Poster of a dearly departed BDSM community member

In BDSM, we stress the importance of consent. Because our parade takes place on the streets of New Orleans, we do not want to expose the public, including minors, to non-consensual BDSM play such as leading a person on a leash or impact play.

Please save the toys and play for the party afterwards.

BEFORE

• A full police escort will clear the street directly in front of the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel for parade participants to gather.
• Complimentary parasols and hankies will be available on a first come basis at the hotel entrance while supplies last.
• Portrait posters will also be available to carry in remembrance of professional dominants and/or BDSM community members who have passed away during the last year.
• Parade participants are welcome to carry their own posters as well.

DURING

• A traditional jazz band will begin playing a mournful dirge to start the parade. At first the parade steps slowly, then as the music breaks out into joyful jazz, it picks up pace.
• The full, police escort will clear the streets ahead of the parade and follow at the end.
• The band’s Grand Marshal works with the police escort to pace and direct the parade with their baton and whistle.
• The DomCon Parade Queen walks in front of the DomCon parade banner wearing their crown and sash.

AFTER

• The parade ends where it started after completing a circle of about 0.5 mile
• The 7-piece jazz, brass band often stays afterward playing jazz on the street in front of the hotel.

Traditionally a second line parade begins at a New Orleans graveyard after the funeral. The first line is the immediate family, usually riding in a car, which is followed by the second line of funeral attendees walking.  A jazz band plays a mourning song, called a dirge, while the parade participants start out stepping slowly along carrying a poster portrait of the deceased. Shortly after leaving the cemetary, the jazz band breaks out in happy tunes while the paraders utilize what they have, parasols for sun protection and handkerchiefs for drying their tears, to accentuate their dance steps.

Over time, this tradition has evolved to incorporate brightly decorated parasols, Stilt-walkers, NOLA Indians, Giant Heads, and other festive characters. Bystanders along the parade route are encouraged to join the parade as it passes.

These days, second line parades are popular for all types of occasions including weddings.