The History of the Mystic Krewe of Olympia
In 1965, a group of friends were having lunch at The Galley Restaurant across from the Covington Courthouse. Among them were Lieutenant Colonel Earl Wilson, Warren Illing, Sr. pharmaceutical sales manager, H. M. “Ole” Olson, a Delta Airline Pilot, and James Heinritz, a local insurance agent. It was shortly after Mardi Gras, and the conversation turned to the Lions Club parade on Mardi Gras morning in Covington.
Colonel Wilson commented that many St. Tammany residents in rural areas probably had never seen a “New Orleans style” parade, adding “wouldn’t it be great to bring one to the community?” By the end of the meeting, plans were under way to form a carnival organization in Covington. Each participant in the project was given the task of signing up 25 members for the organization. By the end of the week, approximately 100 enthusiastic members had formed the Mystic Krewe of Olympia.
Olympia Parade Route
The Krewe of Olympia parade will begin at the intersection of North Columbia Street and Jefferson Street in Covington, Louisiana.
The parade will follow North Columbia Street south until it reaches East Boston Street, where it will turn west.
From East Boston, the parade will go southwest on South Jefferson Avenue.
At the intersection of South Jefferson and East 15th Avenue, the krewe will turn northwest and follow 15th.
On South Tyler Street, the parade will turn towards the northeast and proceed until it reaches West 23rd Avenue.
On 23rd, the parade will turn southeast and venture back down to North Jefferson Avenue.
From North Jefferson, the krewe will go back down Boston Street and Turn north onto Columbia Street.
The parade will end where it began at the intersection of North Columbia Street and Jefferson Ave.
The MKO Foundation
The Board of Directors of The Mystic Krewe of Olympia has created a philanthropic arm of the organization, the MKO Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to raise financial support for our community’s first responders and other local non-profits in the Covington area.
Our Blue Jeans Ball & Battle of the Bands has raised over $50,000+ for these local beneficiaries.
