A New Orleans tribute to Princess Leia
In New Orleans, where death is marked by both mourning and merriment, the Mardi Gras group called the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus organized a parade Friday, December 30, 2016, in honor of the woman they consider royalty: Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Princess Leia in “Star Wars.”
Fisher died Dec. 27 at age 60.
With A Little Help From Vader
Their hair wrapped in side buns, wielding lightsabers and dressed as everything from Wookiees to stormtroopers, members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016.
A Little Princess
Addy Longlois, 7, dressed as Princess Leia, walks in a parade in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. The parade was held by the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a “Star Wars” themed Mardi Gras Krewe.
A Princess' Best Friend
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016. Fisher died on Dec. 27, 2016, at the age of 60.
Two Leias
Laura Bell, dressed as Princess Leia from the original “Star Wars” movie, holds her daughter Luna Bell, dressed as Leia from “The Empire Strikes Back,” at the start of a parade in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.
Use the Force!
“This is a public demonstration of our love for Princess Leia,” Brooke Ethridge, one of the founders of the Leijorettes - a dancing group made up of fans who dress like Princess Leia - told the Associated Press. “Our first instinct was to hit the streets and parade and celebrate Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.”
Let's Hear It For Alderaan!
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016.
Young Princesses
Ellis Cook, left, and Retina Hegazzi, both 9, wait for the start of a parade, with other Krewe members dressed as Princess Leia, in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.
Leia Fans
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016.
March of the Rebels
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016. Fisher died on Dec. 27, 2016, at the age of 60.
Krewe of Chewbacchus
The New Orleans parade was led by the Leijorettes, followed by a brass band playing the “Star Wars” theme as hundreds of people - many in costume or carrying lightsabers - walked behind them.
The Force Is With Them
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016.
Moving With The Force
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016.
Krewe of Chewbacchus
But even in a crowd where Fisher’s Princess Leia role was front and center, many pointed out the contributions Fisher had made even after her “Star Wars” acting wound down. One marcher in the crowd held a sign calling Fisher, who spoke openly about her struggles with bipolar disease, a mental health advocate.
Princess
Michell Niemeyer, dressed as Princess Leia, is seen in silhouette as the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus holds a parade in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.
Gathering of Rebels
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade with members dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, in New Orleans, Dec. 30, 2016.
Leia Fans
Members of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus dressed as Princess Leia use their smartphones at the start of a parade in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the “Star Wars” movie series, in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.
The Force Is With Them
Brett Ashy, who came to the parade dressed as Darth Vader, told CBS Affiliate WWL, “I’ve been in New Orleans all my life. New Orleans is always unique, every single day. So this is just another example of how cool New Orleans is.”
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan. The Associated Press contributed to this report.