2ndline FAQ

We parade in rain or shine. Please be prepared to parade in the rain or provide an indoor performance space for the band. Below is everything you need to know about how weather works for NOPD, our musicians, and your parade.

NOPD almost never cancels permits. They do not cancel for regular rain or storms. A cancellation usually requires a declared state of emergency within the city. The last time NOPD canceled a parade due to weather was during Hurricane Ida in twenty twenty one.

Refunds from NOPD are not guaranteed. NOPD usually does not approve refunds when a parade is canceled within forty eight hours of the event. Earlier requests have a better chance of approval. If NOPD approves a refund, we will send that amount to the client once the city releases the funds. The city refund process can take time.

Band bookings are non refundable. Even if NOPD approves a refund for the parade permit, we still pay our musicians and retain the booking fee for permit handling and escort coordination. Our musicians reserve your date and time and often decline other work to be available for your event, so it is important that they are still compensated. The only situation in which we would offer a refund is a declared state of emergency that prevents us and our musicians from safely attending your event.

If it rains on the day of your parade, there are two options.

Parade in the rain. The parade can continue. For safety and comfort, NOPD or the band may adjust the route. This may include shortening the route while keeping the same ending location. Flexibility is appreciated as the musicians and officers do their best to make the event safe and enjoyable during challenging weather.

Move the performance indoors. If the client has secured an indoor venue, the band can perform inside. If the performance continues beyond the short outdoor route, the band must be fully covered. We do not ask our musicians to stand and perform uncovered in the rain.

Either Abby or the musician she designates as the Lead Musician will arrive on site about fifteen minutes before your parade is scheduled to begin. They will reach out to the On Site Contact listed on your contract by text or phone call when they arrive. They will also check in with the other musicians and sign for the police escort if we handled the permit process for you.

The band will look to your On Site Contact for the official cue to begin and for any final instructions. Please make sure the person you designate as the contact for your parade knows they are responsible for meeting the band before the parade starts and remaining reachable on their cell phone.

We do not provide parasols, handkerchiefs, or other party favors for parades. These are easy to find on Etsy or Amazon. If you prefer to shop locally, Bella Umbrellas is a wonderful option and they have a location on Magazine Street.

A fun note about handkerchiefs. Many clients order custom versions with names, wedding dates, or designs that match their event. It is a great way to personalize your parade and create a keepsake for your guests.

We do not take song requests at the usual pay rate reflected for most second line parades, and we do not provide a list of songs to choose from. Our musicians call the songs on site based on the energy of the crowd, the flow of the event, and their expertise working together as a group.

If you have a brass band song you know and love, you are welcome to tell us, and we will pass it along, though we do not guarantee it for the parade.

If you would like the band to learn a brand new song for your event, this may be possible. One of our musicians would need to write an arrangement, we would need to schedule rehearsals, and the band would rehearse the new piece in advance. This involves paying the arranger, paying the musicians for their rehearsal time, and additional booking fees for the administrative work of scheduling and overseeing the rehearsal process.

If you are interested in having the band learn a custom song, let us know and we can walk you through what that would look like. Otherwise, the band will arrive ready to do what they do best and create an incredible atmosphere based on the moment.

The band always appreciates a tip. Most clients choose to tip, although it is never required and entirely up to you. Tipping is simply a kind way to show appreciation for the musicians and the energy they bring to your parade.

If you would like to leave a tip and are wondering about the best way to do that, cash is preferred. It is especially helpful if the cash is already divided into equal amounts so it can be handed out to the musicians right away. We can also provide digital options for tips if that is easier for you.

Parades usually last between 15-30 minutes. The exact duration is determined by the length of your route. A longer route takes more time, and a shorter route takes less time.

The parade cannot be paced or make stops once it begins. Some parade lengths may have limitations depending on the location, the rules in place at the time of your parade, and the direction of one way streets. Even with these restrictions, we always do our best to help you get the parade length you are hoping for.

We can provide pedicabs for your parade. The rate is one hundred fifty dollars per pedicab for events in the French Quarter, the Central Business District, and the Marigny.

For parades taking place uptown or in areas where pedicabs are less common, the rate is determined on a case by case basis. We are happy to check availability and pricing for your specific location.

The city limits second line parades to 12 blocks or fewer.

For weddings, we recommend a route of about 6 blocks. Wedding groups often include guests with different physical abilities, guests wearing formal shoes, and guests dressed for photos rather than long walks. A 6 block route keeps everyone comfortable and is especially important from May through September when heat and humidity are high. A 6 block route also provides a helpful timing buffer in case the event is running late and your parade begins after the scheduled time.

For casual events with smaller, more active groups, routes of 10 to 12 blocks are possible.

If you choose a longer route, starting on time is essential. The band is booked for a maximum of 30 minutes, and if your group is running behind, the clock still begins at the contracted start time. Neither the musicians nor the police escort can extend their time once the parade is underway.

Yes, as long as the band is booked for the additional time and the early performance takes place inside a venue or on private property. When the band is booked for this extra set, they are happy to entertain your guests before the parade begins.

However, if you are hoping for the band to play an extended performance outside on a public street or sidewalk, especially in busy areas such as the French Quarter, the Central Business District, or along major roads with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, generally no, we do not offer this, and here is why.

The goal for police officers is to protect your parade while also keeping traffic moving. Once the band begins performing near the street or on a busy sidewalk, officers often need to hold traffic to protect your guests and other pedestrians, many of whom naturally spill into the street once live music begins. In high traffic areas this can create significant congestion.

When this happens, the officers usually require the band to do one of two things. They may ask the band to begin the parade immediately, or they may ask the band to stop playing until it is time to roll. This helps keep the street and sidewalk clear and prevents gridlock before your parade officially starts.

We always follow the directives of the police officers assigned to our parades. Their role is to keep everyone safe and to consider the thousands of people navigating the city at the same time as your event.