The Krewe of Endymion is one of only three Super Krewes, defined by spectacular floats and celebrity Grand Marshals, and is the largest of the 80 or so parades participating in New Orleans Mardi Gras. Many people begin saving their viewing spots for this parade in the early morning hours although it does not occur until the evening. It was founded in 1966 and named after Endymion {en-dim'-ee-uhn}, from Greek mythology.
Its motto, "Throw Until it Hurts", defines a tradition of being extremely generous with its throws, tossing millions of beads, cups, doubloons and trinkets during its annual parade, held the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. The parade is immediately followed with a spectacular party called the 'Endymion Extravaganza', that rivals anything that Las Vegas can offer. It was held from 1974 to 1980 at the now demolished Rivergate Convention Center. Since 1981, it has been held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome except in 2006 when it was held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center due to repairs to the Superdome after being damaged from Hurricane Katrina and also in 2011 due to the final Phase 3 renovations to the Superdome. The Krewe returned to the Superdome in 2012. In recent years, the krewe has had over 2300 members and 12,000–14,000 guests at its Extravaganza.
Endymion has a rich tradition of celebrity Grand Marshals:
- 1974: Doc Severinsen
- 1975: Dyan Cannon, Bobby Vinton
- 1976: Alice Cooper, Wolfman Jack, Jerry Vale
- 1977: Gino Vanelli, Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Vikki Carr
- 1978: Cheryl Ladd, Wayne Newton, Fats Domino
- 1979: Charo, KC and the Sunshine Band
- 1980: Engelbert Humperdinck
- 1981: Neil Sedaka, Suzanne Somers
- 1982: Captain & Tennille, Kool & the Gang
- 1983: Lou Rawls, Crystal Gayle, Kool & the Gang, Doc Severinsen
- 1984: Tom Jones, Kool & the Gang, Fats Domino, Doc Severinsen
- 1985: Wayne Newton, Fats Domino, Melissa Manchester
- 1986: Paul Anka
- 1987: Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller, Tracey Gold
- 1988: Dolly Parton, Heather Locklear, Roy Orbison, Smokey Robinson, Spuds MacKenzie, Miami Sound Machine
- 1989: Fred Savage, Hall & Oates
- 1990: John Goodman, Chicago, Four Tops
- 1991: Michael Bolton
- 1992: Kenny Rogers, Patrick Duffy
- 1993: Steven Seagal, The Beach Boys
- 1994: Stephen Stills, Jeanne Cooper, Corbin Bernsen, Frankie Valli
- 1995: Chuck Norris, Huey Lewis, KC and the Sunshine Band, Richard Karn
- 1996: Kool & the Gang, Jonathan Silverman, Donna Summer
- 1997: David Schwimmer
- 1998: Jerry Springer, Jack Wagner, Ian Ziering, KC and the Sunshine Band
- 1999: Emeril Lagasse
- 2000: Britney Spears
- 2001: Frankie Muniz
- 2002: Jason Alexander
- 2003: Aaron Carter
- 2004: LeAnn Rimes
- 2005: Marisa Tomei, Gene Simmons, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Pointer Sisters
- 2006: Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, Better Than Ezra
- 2007: Taylor Hicks, Journey, Styx, Al Green
- 2008: Kevin Costner, The Go-Go's, The Doobie Brothers
- 2009: Kid Rock, REO Speedwagon
- 2010: Tom Benson
- 2011: Anderson Cooper, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Train
- 2012: Maroon 5, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Anderson Cooper
- 2013: Kelly Clarkson