This Mardi Gras parade geared toward kids is a colorful tradition in KC’s West Side
By Emily Curiel
Ollie Clark, adorned in colorful face paint, stands for a portrait during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City.
Emily Curiel
ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mardi Gras parades are not exclusive to New Orleans, or adults.
Dressed in colorful costumes, dozens of children, and plenty of adults, representing Krewe de Prank and other local Mardi Gras krewes marched in a Mardi Gras parade Sunday that snaked through the streets of the West Side neighborhood in Kansas City. The parade has become an annual occurrence in the neighborhood and comes with some shenanigans as suggested by the name of the krewe that puts it on.
The krewe has been known to launch attacks on the homes of “rival” krewes, barraging them with toilet paper and silly string. Every year the parade participants stop to smother one of the local residents dressed as Maximón, the patron saint of bad behavior, in toilet paper and silly string.
Here are photos from Sunday’s parade.
Trombone player Shelly Alexander of the Sass-a-Brass band performs during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Tess Allen holds her five-year-old daughter, Electra, on her shoulders as they participate in the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Ken Delaney, a member of the DL Crew, participates in the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Bennett Sutherlin, child crowned as the 2025 Mardi Gras king, holds a prank staff, center, as parade participants walk along Jefferson Street during the annual Krewe de Prank parade Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A member of the KC Fusion Drill Team performs during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A parade participant operates a handheld bubble machine during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Children use silly string, toilet paper and confetti to cover Maximón, the patron saint of bad behavior, during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Neighbors wave and smile as the Krewe de Prank parade passes down Summit Street on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Parade participants walk along Summit Street during the annual Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A neighbor looks out their window as the Krewe de Prank parade passes along Jefferson Street on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Children use silly string, toilet paper and confetti to cover Maximón, the patron saint of bad behavior, during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Children use silly string, toilet paper and confetti to cover Maximón, the patron saint of bad behavior, during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Children use silly string, toilet paper and confetti to cover Maximón, the patron saint of bad behavior, during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Members of the Sass-a-Brass band play music along Summit Street during the annual Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Tessa Sullivan smiles as she participates in the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Ollie Clark, adorned in colorful face paint and wearing vibrant attire, smiles as she stands for a portrait during the Krewe de Prank parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
