"Jubilation," says Crecent City historian-photographer Ed Newman,
"..as the Prince of Wales Social and Pleasure Club approaches and crosses St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1994.
The club was founded in the late 1920's, after a visit from the Prince of Wales, whose style and dash created an impression on the founders. Since then, they've paraded every year, dressed to the nines, sometimes in spats, bowlers, top hats, walking sticks or waistcoats.
Their route is one of the most interesting in New Orleans. It's one of the few that CROSSES the main society avenue, St. Charles Avenue. It goes through a lot of mostly white neighborhoods, and the looks of surprise and pleasure on both the parade watchers and the paraders faces is wonderful. It's actually a mixed club, since Joe, a union organizer who is not African-American, has been a long time member.
Long Live the Prince of Wales (Social and Pleasure Club)!"
