***Tentative
Schedule***
ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE
NO PARADES WILL ROLL THIS CARNIVAL
SEASON
DUE TO COVID-19 but
we are working on a list of Carnival related activities that
we know will be occuring
LIST UPDATED ON JANUARY 31, 2021
2021 Carnival
season has a new alternative amid cancellation of parades
due to COVID-19
NEW ORLEANS (Dec.
8, 2020) — In a city that doesn’t let anything rain
on its parade, the new Krewe of House Floats will roll
forward with its plans for a safe alternative to the
traditional 2021 Carnival season due to the cancellation
of parades caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Created by New Orleans resident Megan Boudreaux, the
Krewe of House Floats began as an idea posted to social
media and rapidly grew into an organization with more
than 7,500 members.
“It started off
as a Twitter joke and now everyone wants to participate,”
said Boudreaux. “We look forward to this not only being
a way for people to safely celebrate Carnival season,
but also as an opportunity to help our city’s culture
bearers.”
The volunteers
and subkrewes comprising the Krewe of House Floats have
spent countless hours planning, structuring the organization,
consulting with city officials, brainstorming ways to
help local artisans, and working on an official Krewe
of House Floats map where carnival-goers can view participating
houses, which will be decorated with the traditional
flair of the city’s beloved floats.
The decoration of house floats
will begin on King’s Day (Jan. 6, 2021), the official
start of Carnival season. Nearly 40 neighborhood subkrewes
have formed throughout the greater New Orleans region,
including Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Terrebonne
parishes. There is even a subkrewe for NOLA expats in
other states who, unable to return home for Carnival
season festivities, will be celebrating with house floats
from afar.
Throughout Carnival season,
which culminates with Mardi Gras Day on Feb. 16, the
Krewe of House Floats will channel donations to organizations
around the city who support those most affected by the
cancellation of parades, including but not limited to
local artists, float builders and other culture bearers.
More details about community partnerships are forthcoming.
For more information or to participate,
visit www.KreweOfHouseFloats.org
or email the krewe at KreweOfHouseFloats@gmail.com.
Find us on Facebook (@KreweOfHouseFloats), Instagram
(@KreweofHouseFloats) and Twitter (@HouseFloats). For
corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities,
contact KreweOfHouseFloats@gmail.com.
Floats
in the Oaks Date:
Thurs., February 4 - Sun., February 14, 2021 Location: City Park, New Orleans
Time: Weekdays 5pm -10pm/ Weekends 1pm - 10pm MardiGrasParadeSchedule
Krewe Page
‘Floats in the Oaks’
is a once in a lifetime opportunity for visitors to
view iconic floats from various Mardi Gras krewes all
in one place and it will give our region the opportunity
to experience a part of Mardi Gras during this historic
year. Families can safely participate in a parade-type
event, by viewing stationery floats from their cars,
while also supporting City Park. We hope participants
will wear Mardi Gras costumes and decorate their cars.
Additional elements of this experience are still developing.
Krewes already involved in supporting City Park (in
no particular order): Rex, Zulu, Bacchus, Hermes, Thoth,
King Arthur, Argus, Alla, Morpheus, Iris, Pygmalion,
Mid City, Tucks, Femme Fatale, Babylon, Proteus, Centurions,
Druids, Carrollton. Kern Studios, Rizzuto and Company,
Ducote Designs, and PFJ Floats will assist with transportation
of parade units. More are joining the 'Floats in the
Oaks' krewe daily!
Floats will be lit up at nightime. Vehicle height cannot
exceed 11 feet. No limos, mini-buses, bikes, or pedestrians
are allowed on the route. 8 people per vehicle. Everyone
participating must be in a seatbelt.
If you need assistance
with ticketing, please email support@wrstbnd.com.
In addition to the driving
tour experience, visitors can add-on Park Parade Packs
or the Grandstand Experience. Click
here for that information.
Event address: 2 Friederich
Ave. New Orleans 70124 :: Click
here for a map to find the entrance. (There is only
one entrance, turn off Wisner to enter the line for
the driving tour event)
“We are thrilled to hear so many
people are interested in such a fundraiser to support
City Park. It made us even more excited to eventually
announce this event knowing the public supported it.
City Park is looking forward to bringing a little bit
of Mardi Gras to the people of the area, all while doing
so safely. City Park will use the funds raised to maintain
and operate the 1,300 acres,” says Rob DeViney, COO,
“so everyone in our community can continue to enjoy
the Park”.
The COVID-19 pandemic
has financially impacted City Park significantly with
the closure of revenue generating facilities, which
makeup 90% of the Park’s operating budget, such as weddings,
catered events, and the amusement park. Floats in the
Oaks will provide revenue to offset these financial
losses.The Park has been a place of respite for our
community and the City Park staff will continue to creatively
alter its operations to ensure the Park remains a clean
and beautiful resource. City Park has, whenever possible,
worked with local businesses to build this event.
“The Rex Organization
salutes City Park’s leadership and board for having
the vision to bring this wonderful idea to life so that
New Orleanians and visitors alike can safely enjoy some
Carnival spirit in this unique year,” said Rex Official
James J. Reiss, III. Reiss continued, “The Rex Organization
is proud to honor its special connection to City Park
as personified by Beau Bassich, a Marine Corp veteran
in World War II who was the longtime volunteer leader
of City Park and who served as Rex, the King of Carnival,
in 1989.”
Arthur Hardy 'Mister
Mardi Gras' "The Floats in the Oaks project is
a first in the history of Mardi Gras; an assemblage
of Mardi Gras floats from multiple krewes in one place
where they can be enjoyed safely by locals and visitors
during COVID. The 2021 Carnival season is the first
since 1945 where no Mardi Gras parades will roll anywhere
in the region. Parades in New Orleans have been affected
in several years since the first Comus parade rolled
in 1857: Civil War 1862-1865, Political unrest 1875,
WWI 1927-1818, WWII 1942-1946, Korean War canceled most
parades, Police Strike 1979 cancelled 12 New Orleans
parades, while 13 moved to Kenner, Slidell, and Gretna."
This is a rain or shine
event. No refunds will be offered for any reason for
this event.
When:
Thursday, February 4th through Sunday, February 14th
Weekdays 5pm -10pm and Weekends 1pm - 10pm
Pricing:
Tickets for ‘Floats in the Oaks’ and Add-On experiences
are limited and all tickets must be purchased in advance
and online only.
Saturday - Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm - $10 per car
Monday - Sunday: 5pm to 10 pm - $20 per car
Grandstand Experience Add-On - $15 per person
Park Parade Pack - $12 (pack made for 2 people)
Starting at noon on February
5th, members of the Krewe of ALLA will place krewe parade
throws around the City of New Orleans. These specialty
throws include swords, water bottles, krewe beads and
decorated genie lamps.
The scavenger hunt will begin at 2 pm on February 5th,
and will continue through the evening. Items can be
found throughout the city and our community is encouraged
to share their treasures by posting photos on social
media using the hashtag #allaparade2021.
It is our hope to spread some carnival joy this season
in our community while ensuring a safe and healthy Mardi
Gras!
The Mystic
Krewe of Barkus welcomes the 2021 Mardi Gras season with
the theme: "Bone Alone: Barkus at Home But Not Alone!”
Our canine krewe members
are encouraged to celebrate the best dog parade on Earth
by planning to do Barkus virtually this year on Sunday,
February 7, 2021, at 2 p.m. CST from your home, porch,
yard or wherever you can join the fun with COVID safety
measures in place.
It is time for us to give credit to all the dogs who
have become our confident co-workers without regard
to training or education in countless professions; popular
Zoom stars whether they have been formally hired or
vetted by the team; in-demand clean-up sous chefs while
cooking more at home; our best classmates who don’t
even read; and an endless source of unconditional love
and acceptance no matter what this pandemic has thrown
our way.
The dogs of the world have shown their courage in helping
us while we struggle to keep COVID troubles at the our
doorsteps. Whether you have the character of the ingenious
Kevin, a shifty, grumpy Uncle Frank, a tough Gangsta
Johnny, or a worried mother Kate in your pack, let us
pay tribute to the time we have been home, but not alone.
Follow our announcements giving details on 2021 Barkus
opportunities by following us at Mystic Krewe of Barkus
New Orleans, our Instagram @mystic_krewe_of_barkus and
on our new website www.barkus.org. You can also contact
us by email at info@barkus.org or through Facebook messenger.
Krewe
of Bacchus Date:
February 14, 2021 Time: 5:15 p.m. Location: Online / App
The
Krewe of Bacchus is excited to announce our Throw Me Something
Bacchus app for Mardi Gras 2021.
The app gives its users the ability to catch and collect
virtual throws every Sunday during Carnival season. Players
will be able to create their own avatar, trade throws
with other players, and trade select virtual throws for
actual throws.
On Bacchus Sunday, February 14, 2021, stream the VIRTUAL
PARADE in the app. Cameo appearances from Bacchus royalty.
Catch 2021 throws as the floats roll by to the tunes of
our favorite bands. Make the BacchaBoard’s Top 100 players
and capture your memories in the app. Follow Bacchus riders
for special virtual throws.
As we find out more information on these events or others
we will update the information
If you would like to let us know of anything else that
may be occuring, please contact MardiGrasParadeSchedule.com
through our Facebook Page @mardigrasparadeschedule
sorry if we missed anything
MASTER LIST OF EVENTS
Wednesday,
January 6th
Phunny
Phorty Phellows Herald the Arrival
of the Carnival Season!
Celebrating
the arrival of the Carnival Season, the costumed and masked
krewe of the Phunny Phorty Phellows will assemble (socially
distanced) on Twelfth Night, January 6, 2021 (Wednesday)
in the Willow Street Car Barn.
At 7pm sharp, the Phunny Phorty Phellows will board the
streetcar and begin their traditional ride to "Herarld
the Arrival of Carnival" down the St. Charles Ave.
Streetcar Line.
The public will not be allowed in or near the streetcar
barn in keeping with RTA COVID-19 restrictions. All are
invited to come see the PPP throughout the route but please
be responsible as we encourage everyone to follow all the
City guidelines in place (wearing a mask, socially distance
from other groups, etc
click here for more info).
We
all know that to #revelresponsibly some new ideas about
celebrating Mardi Gras 2021 have emerged- even though
our annual street car ride is cancelled, we will be having
a unique and interactive scavenger hunt for our coveted
hand-painted record throws!
The first clues on where to find records along the St.
Charles Ave street car line will be released
on Instagram on Jan. 6 at 5pm, followed by more clues
for more records! So be sure to follow
us on Instagram and set a reminder to keep an eye
out on Twelfth Night for clues. The following morning,
an e-blast will go out to all our subscribers with every
clue so you can see if any were not found the night before.
Krewe
de Jeanne d' Arc Date: January
6, 2021 Time: 6 - 9 p.m Location: Behrman Memorial Park 2529 General Meyer Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70114 MardiGrasParadeSchedule
Krewe Page
Celebrating
St. Joan of Arc’s birthday and Twelfth Night, Krewe de
Jeanne d’Arc presents the Tableaux de Jeanne d’Arc, a
medieval-themed live performance drive-by event, inspired
by Joan's life and legacy. In a multitude of tableaux
we tell the story of Joan from her childhood as a shepherdess
to her sainthood. You will see most of the props, characters,
performance groups, and music from our annual walking
parade as you drive by. Look for some new vignettes as
well.
While you wait in line you'll be able to log in and listen
to the story of our parade or compete in our Joan Quiz
Bowl. We anticipate wait times of approximately 40 minutes
so you'll have time to do both!
We are committed to keeping both
krewe members and the public safe. We will follow all
city and state coronavirus guidelines.
All participants will be wearing
face masks and will keep 6 feet or more apart. There will
be no close contact between people. No throws will be
distributed. All viewers must remain in their vehicle
wearing masks. All vehicles must have a ticket.
Hey
Chewbs, never fear. We will celebrate tonight, just virtually!
Join us at 7:00 for a livestream that will include a mystical
ritual as well as greetings from some of our beloved former
royalty. All Hail!
The Overlords are
hosting a Virtual Costume Contest to determine the most
creative Chewbs for our 2021 celebration. To enter, post
a video or photo to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag
#ChewbacchusNewReality2021. Two winners--overall and crowd
fave--will
be declared: one determined by judges and the other by
re-posts and shares. Post those fabulous nerdy looks by
8:00pm this Saturday to be considered. Members and the
public are welcome to enter, just be sure to use the hashtag!
Both winners will win a lifetime membership to the Intergalactic
Krewe of Chewbacchus as well as some IKoC merch!
#chewbacchus #kreweofchew #chewbacchusnewreality2021 #2021
#hitchhikersguide #costume #costumecontest #virtualcostumecontest
#cosplay
On January 23, 2021,
The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus planned to embark
on its eleventh annual adventure, this time navigating
the impossible terrain of socially distanced parading
during a global pandemic. With SubKrewe stations all over
metro New Orleans, these “chapters” would honor the theme
DON’T PANIC! THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE NEW REALITY.
However, with the recent decision by the City of New Orleans
to move to Modified Phase 1, the 2021 celebration and
all SubKrewe activities will be halted. We are trusting
the science and directing all krewe members to suspend
their planned celebrations on January 23, 2021.
We're also postponing our scheduled scavenger hunt to
a later date. The Overlords are hereby announcing a Virtual
Costume Contest and are asking krewe members and the public
to post photos of their Chewbacchus looks on Facebook
and Instagram with the hashtag #chewbacchusnewreality2021.
The Overlords message to members, New Orleanians, and
fans across the galaxy is: Don’t Panic!
ORIGINAL
PLANS BELOW
HAVE BEEN POSTPONED
The Intergalactic
Krewe of Chewbacchus will embark on its eleventh annual
adventure, this time navigating the impossible terrain
of socially distanced parading during a global pandemic.
Life finds a way.
On that day, The Sacred Drunken Wookiee will awaken from
his season of slumber to present the theme DON’T PANIC!
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE NEW REALITY - VOLUME ONE.
Within the week leading up to VOLUME ONE, the krewe will
release “The Guide” in the form of an online PDF brochure,
which will include a map to the locations of where the
devoted subkrewes of Chewbacchus will be stationed at
homes and businesses around the city of New Orleans on
January 23, 2021. Each station will represent a “chapter”
of the guide. Fans and devotees of The Sacred Drunken
Wookiee will be able to visit these stations on that date
and collect the wonderful handmade throws of our subkrewes
and marvel at the beautiful costumes and glorious contraptions
of our members in a socially distanced manner.
ALL CHEWBACCHUS MEMBERS WILL BE APPROPRIATELY MASKED,
AND ADHERING TO CURRENT SOCIAL DISTANCE AND OUTDOOR GATHERING
GUIDELINES. In return, it is expected that fans and spectators
will return that respect and be masked and socially distanced
as well. To emphasize a mindfulness to the safety and
health of our members, The Overlords of Chewbacchus hereby
issue the decree that no member of the public visiting
a station of our subkrewes will be entertained with the
gift of a throw if not masked and respecting current social
distance guidelines.
Furthermore, in addition to the opportunity to still witness
the splendor of our subkrewes and chance to acquire their
beautiful handmade throws, DON’T PANIC! THE HITCHHIKER’S
GUIDE TO THE NEW REALITY - VOLUME ONE will include a multimedia
side quest for rare, one of a kind, artifacts of The Sacred
Drunken Wookiee. Those artifacts will be found at randomly
selected subkrewe stations and will reveal clues to the
location of a prized collection of rare treasures, a Chewbacchus
merchandise prize package, a lifetime membership to the
Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, and the Royal title
“Ultimate Survivor of the New Reality.”
More details to follow. Subscribe to our mailing list
at Chewbacchus.org
for latest information.
Join us, as The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus guides
you through the New Reality. And don’t panic.
KdV will not let
New Orleans down! Mardi Gras may not be coming, but we
are going to present how tasteless we are, pandemic or
not! Krewe du Vieux will shame who needs shaming and stroke
who needs stroking!
We present to you:
14 Satirical Art Installations
10 Tasteless Mini-Libraries
1 Virtual Gobsmacking
INSTALLATIONS
When: starting January 30th
Where: Check out map below which has all the details.
VIRTUAL EVENT
When: January 30th - 6:30 pm
Where: Will be streamed from our website from this link:
VIRTUAL KdV
Like virtually every
other Mardi Gras organization, Krewe du Vieux is not parading
in 2021. Instead, many of the subkrewes have created installations
to express their creativity, satire and general lack of
taste. Basic information about these is listed below;
more details can be found on some of their websites, or
by abducting and interrogating a krewe member (trust us,
they’ll love it). In all cases, however, please wear masks
and keep appropriate social distance. Oh, and one of these
may not be real – test your Krewe du Vieux subkrewe knowledge!
All we know is that
the many subkrewes will be doing different art instalations
around the city. As more information is made available,
we will update this section. All activities will follow
New Orleans COVID-19 guidelines.
Seeds of Decline, Krewe
du Mishigas, Krewe of SPANK, Krewe of the Mystic Inane,
Krewe of Underwear, Krewe of K.A.O.S., Knights of Mondu,
Krewe Rue Bourbon, Krewe of L.E.W.D., Mystic Krewe of
Spermes, T.O.K.I.N., Krewe of Drips and Discharges, Krewe
of C.R.U.D.E., Krewe of Space Age Love, Krewe de C.R.A.P.S.,
Mystick Krewe of Comatose, Krewe of Mama Roux
2021 Carnival
season has a new alternative amid cancellation of parades
due to COVID-19
NEW ORLEANS (Dec.
8, 2020) — In a city that doesn’t let anything rain
on its parade, the new Krewe of House Floats will roll
forward with its plans for a safe alternative to the
traditional 2021 Carnival season due to the cancellation
of parades caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Created by New Orleans resident Megan Boudreaux, the
Krewe of House Floats began as an idea posted to social
media and rapidly grew into an organization with more
than 7,500 members.
“It started off
as a Twitter joke and now everyone wants to participate,”
said Boudreaux. “We look forward to this not only being
a way for people to safely celebrate Carnival season,
but also as an opportunity to help our city’s culture
bearers.”
The volunteers
and subkrewes comprising the Krewe of House Floats have
spent countless hours planning, structuring the organization,
consulting with city officials, brainstorming ways to
help local artisans, and working on an official Krewe
of House Floats map where carnival-goers can view participating
houses, which will be decorated with the traditional
flair of the city’s beloved floats.
The decoration of house floats
will begin on King’s Day (Jan. 6, 2021), the official
start of Carnival season. Nearly 40 neighborhood subkrewes
have formed throughout the greater New Orleans region,
including Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Terrebonne
parishes. There is even a subkrewe for NOLA expats in
other states who, unable to return home for Carnival
season festivities, will be celebrating with house floats
from afar.
Throughout Carnival season,
which culminates with Mardi Gras Day on Feb. 16, the
Krewe of House Floats will channel donations to organizations
around the city who support those most affected by the
cancellation of parades, including but not limited to
local artists, float builders and other culture bearers.
More details about community partnerships are forthcoming.
For more information or to participate,
visit www.KreweOfHouseFloats.org
or email the krewe at KreweOfHouseFloats@gmail.com.
Find us on Facebook (@KreweOfHouseFloats), Instagram
(@KreweofHouseFloats) and Twitter (@HouseFloats). For
corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities,
contact KreweOfHouseFloats@gmail.com.
Floats
in the Oaks Date:
Thurs., February 4 - Sun., February 14, 2021 Location: City Park, New Orleans
Time: Weekdays 5pm -10pm/ Weekends 1pm - 10pm MardiGrasParadeSchedule
Krewe Page
‘Floats in the Oaks’
is a once in a lifetime opportunity for visitors to
view iconic floats from various Mardi Gras krewes all
in one place and it will give our region the opportunity
to experience a part of Mardi Gras during this historic
year. Families can safely participate in a parade-type
event, by viewing stationery floats from their cars,
while also supporting City Park. We hope participants
will wear Mardi Gras costumes and decorate their cars.
Additional elements of this experience are still developing.
Krewes already involved in supporting City Park (in
no particular order): Rex, Zulu, Bacchus, Hermes, Thoth,
King Arthur, Argus, Alla, Morpheus, Iris, Pygmalion,
Mid City, Tucks, Femme Fatale, Babylon, Proteus, Centurions,
Druids, Carrollton. Kern Studios, Rizzuto and Company,
Ducote Designs, and PFJ Floats will assist with transportation
of parade units. More are joining the 'Floats in the
Oaks' krewe daily!
Floats will be lit up at nightime. Vehicle height cannot
exceed 11 feet. No limos, mini-buses, bikes, or pedestrians
are allowed on the route. 8 people per vehicle. Everyone
participating must be in a seatbelt.
If you need assistance
with ticketing, please email support@wrstbnd.com.
In addition to the driving
tour experience, visitors can add-on Park Parade Packs
or the Grandstand Experience. Click
here for that information.
Event address: 2 Friederich
Ave. New Orleans 70124 :: Click
here for a map to find the entrance. (There is only
one entrance, turn off Wisner to enter the line for
the driving tour event)
“We are thrilled to hear so many
people are interested in such a fundraiser to support
City Park. It made us even more excited to eventually
announce this event knowing the public supported it.
City Park is looking forward to bringing a little bit
of Mardi Gras to the people of the area, all while doing
so safely. City Park will use the funds raised to maintain
and operate the 1,300 acres,” says Rob DeViney, COO,
“so everyone in our community can continue to enjoy
the Park”.
The COVID-19 pandemic
has financially impacted City Park significantly with
the closure of revenue generating facilities, which
makeup 90% of the Park’s operating budget, such as weddings,
catered events, and the amusement park. Floats in the
Oaks will provide revenue to offset these financial
losses.The Park has been a place of respite for our
community and the City Park staff will continue to creatively
alter its operations to ensure the Park remains a clean
and beautiful resource. City Park has, whenever possible,
worked with local businesses to build this event.
“The Rex Organization
salutes City Park’s leadership and board for having
the vision to bring this wonderful idea to life so that
New Orleanians and visitors alike can safely enjoy some
Carnival spirit in this unique year,” said Rex Official
James J. Reiss, III. Reiss continued, “The Rex Organization
is proud to honor its special connection to City Park
as personified by Beau Bassich, a Marine Corp veteran
in World War II who was the longtime volunteer leader
of City Park and who served as Rex, the King of Carnival,
in 1989.”
Arthur Hardy 'Mister
Mardi Gras' "The Floats in the Oaks project is
a first in the history of Mardi Gras; an assemblage
of Mardi Gras floats from multiple krewes in one place
where they can be enjoyed safely by locals and visitors
during COVID. The 2021 Carnival season is the first
since 1945 where no Mardi Gras parades will roll anywhere
in the region. Parades in New Orleans have been affected
in several years since the first Comus parade rolled
in 1857: Civil War 1862-1865, Political unrest 1875,
WWI 1927-1818, WWII 1942-1946, Korean War canceled most
parades, Police Strike 1979 cancelled 12 New Orleans
parades, while 13 moved to Kenner, Slidell, and Gretna."
This is a rain or shine
event. No refunds will be offered for any reason for
this event.
When:
Thursday, February 4th through Sunday, February 14th
Weekdays 5pm -10pm and Weekends 1pm - 10pm
Pricing:
Tickets for ‘Floats in the Oaks’ and Add-On experiences
are limited and all tickets must be purchased in advance
and online only.
Saturday - Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm - $10 per car
Monday - Sunday: 5pm to 10 pm - $20 per car
Grandstand Experience Add-On - $15 per person
Park Parade Pack - $12 (pack made for 2 people)
Starting at noon on February
5th, members of the Krewe of ALLA will place krewe parade
throws around the City of New Orleans. These specialty
throws include swords, water bottles, krewe beads and
decorated genie lamps.
The scavenger hunt will begin at 2 pm on February 5th,
and will continue through the evening. Items can be
found throughout the city and our community is encouraged
to share their treasures by posting photos on social
media using the hashtag #allaparade2021.
It is our hope to spread some carnival joy this season
in our community while ensuring a safe and healthy Mardi
Gras!
The Mystic
Krewe of Barkus welcomes the 2021 Mardi Gras season with
the theme: "Bone Alone: Barkus at Home But Not Alone!”
Our canine krewe members
are encouraged to celebrate the best dog parade on Earth
by planning to do Barkus virtually this year on Sunday,
February 7, 2021, at 2 p.m. CST from your home, porch,
yard or wherever you can join the fun with COVID safety
measures in place.
It is time for us to give credit to all the dogs who
have become our confident co-workers without regard
to training or education in countless professions; popular
Zoom stars whether they have been formally hired or
vetted by the team; in-demand clean-up sous chefs while
cooking more at home; our best classmates who don’t
even read; and an endless source of unconditional love
and acceptance no matter what this pandemic has thrown
our way.
The dogs of the world have shown their courage in helping
us while we struggle to keep COVID troubles at the our
doorsteps. Whether you have the character of the ingenious
Kevin, a shifty, grumpy Uncle Frank, a tough Gangsta
Johnny, or a worried mother Kate in your pack, let us
pay tribute to the time we have been home, but not alone.
Follow our announcements giving details on 2021 Barkus
opportunities by following us at Mystic Krewe of Barkus
New Orleans, our Instagram @mystic_krewe_of_barkus and
on our new website www.barkus.org. You can also contact
us by email at info@barkus.org or through Facebook messenger.
Krewe
of Bacchus Date:
February 14, 2021 Time: 5:15 p.m. Location: Online / App
The
Krewe of Bacchus is excited to announce our Throw Me Something
Bacchus app for Mardi Gras 2021.
The app gives its users the ability to catch and collect
virtual throws every Sunday during Carnival season. Players
will be able to create their own avatar, trade throws
with other players, and trade select virtual throws for
actual throws.
On Bacchus Sunday, February 14, 2021, stream the VIRTUAL
PARADE in the app. Cameo appearances from Bacchus royalty.
Catch 2021 throws as the floats roll by to the tunes of
our favorite bands. Make the BacchaBoard’s Top 100 players
and capture your memories in the app. Follow Bacchus riders
for special virtual throws.
As we find out more information on these events or others
we will update the information
If you would like to let us know of anything else that
may be occuring, please contact MardiGrasParadeSchedule.com
through our Facebook Page @mardigrasparadeschedule
sorry if we missed anything
New Orleans
Mardi Gras ( New Orleans Canival Season) draws millions of
fun-seekers and party people to the Big Easy every year. Mardi
Gras is always celebrated in New Orleans on a larger then
life scale. Dazziling with beautiful masked balls and colorful
mardi Gras parades with Royalty and throws and fantastic parade
floats.
The two week long celebration
is a local and nation wide favorite holiday to attend.
No one really Is actually
certain where or when the actual custom called Mardi Gras
really offically begain. Some Mardi Gras Historians trace
its magical roots to the ancient Romans, whose pagan rites
and orgies were held during the early spring season.
Louisianas' early French
that settled in New Orleans begain having private Grande masked
balls and social parties as early as 1718. When the Spanish
government took over, parties and street dancing were publicly
banned. Not until 1827, well after the Louisian Purchase,
that the right to party inpublic and mask was restored.
During the 1850's, New
Orleans' elite and their elegant Mardi Gras parties were quite
a contrast to the wild partying and near-rioting in the streets.
In 1857, a secret society
called the Mystick Krewe of Comus formed
Comus
or Komus is the god of festivity, in Greek mythology, he revels
and nocturnal dalliances. Comus represents anarchy and chaos.
During his festivals in Ancient Greece, men and women exchanged
clothes. Visually, Comus was depicted as a young man or youth
on the point of unconsciousness from drink. He had a wreath
of flowers on his head and carried a torch that was in the
process of being dropped. Unlike the purely carnal Pan or
the more purely drunken Bacchus, Comus was a god of excess.
He is a son of Dionysus and Circe.
The Lord of Misrule,
known in Scotland as the Abbot of Unreason and in France as
the Prince des Sots was an officer appointed by lot at Christmas
to preside over the Feast of Fools. The Lord of Misrule was
generally a peasant or sub-deacon appointed to be in charge
of Christmas revelries, which often included drunkenness and
wild partying, in the pagan tradition of Yule. The Church
held a similar festival involving a Boy Bishop. The celebration
of the Feast of Fools was outlawed by the Council of Basel
that sat from 1431, but it survived to be put down again by
the Catholic Queen Mary I in England in 1555.
While mostly known as
a British holiday custom, the appointment of a Lord of Misrule
comes from antiquity. In ancient Rome, from the 17th to the
23rd of December, a Lord of Misrule was appointed for the
feast of Saturnalia, in the guise of the good god Saturn.
During this time the ordinary rules of life were turned topsy-turvy
as masters served their slaves, and the offices of state were
held by slaves. The Lord of Misrule presided over all of this,
and had the power to command anyone to do anything during
the holiday period. This holiday seems to be the precursor
to the more modern Mardi Gras holiday, and it carried over
into the Christian era.
The Mystick Krewe of Comus (founded
in 1856) is a New Orleans, Louisiana Carnival Krewe.
A Krewe is an organization
that puts on a parade and or a ball for the New Orleans Carnival
season (Mardi Gras).
The word is thought to
have been coined in the early 19th century by an organization
calling themselves Ye Mystick Krewe of Comus, as an imitation
or parody of Old English; with time it became the most common
term for a New Orleans Carnival organization.
Prior to the advent of Comus, Carnival
celebrations in New Orleans were mostly confined to the Roman
Catholic Creole community, and parades were irregular and
often very informally organized. In December of 1856 a number
of New Orleans businessmen, mostly uptown Protestant Americans
from other parts of the United States, gathered to found the
organization to produce a parade and ball on Mardi Gras night.
The inspiration for the name came from John Milton's Lord
of Misrule in his masque Comus. Part of the inspiration for
the parade was a Carnival group in Mobile, Alabama called
the Cowbellions.
The first Comus parade was held on Mardi
Gras 1857, and this became an annual event. Other organizations
sprung up in New Orleans in the 19th century inspired by the
Comus model and also came to be known as "Krewes".
Members of Comus are always masked when
appearing in public at Krewe events, and their identities
are supposed to remain unknown. Membership in Comus has historically
been identical or nearly identical to membership in the private
New Orleans men's club The Pickwick Club.
Parading on Mardi Gras night, Comus
was the final parade of the New Orleans carnival season. It
was much smaller than both the more modern parades and its
fellow 19th century Mardi Gras day parade Rex. (Comus also
did not stage parades for a number of years, so that by the
late 20th century Rex, although 16 years younger than Comus,
had held more parades.) The Comus parades became known for
their sometimes obscure themes relating to ancient history
and mythology. While other New Orleans parades might have
themes like "Foods of the World" or "Broadway
Show Tunes", Comus would present themes like "Serpent
Deities of the Ancient Near East".
In 1991 the New Orleans city council
passed an ordinance that city funds could not be used to pay
for police and sanitation for any event held on public streets
by any organization which was racially segregated according
to its own bylaws. The Comus organization (along with Momus,
another 19th century Krewe) decided to no longer parade rather
than to either change their bylaws or pay for the municipal
expenses of their parade. The Mystick Krewe of Comus still
holds an annual ball on Mardi Gras night. While the
Mistick Krewe of Comus was originally
a part of and associated with the Pickwick Club, that association
ended over one hundred years ago. Most of the members of the
Krewe of Comus also claim membership in the old line social
clubs including the Boston Club of New Orleans and the Pickwick
Club.
Comus was New Orleans first parade actually planned around a
Mardi Gras theme and used flambeaux carriers to light the parade
procession.
Rex (founded 1872) is
a New Orleans Carnival Krewe which stages the city's largest
parade on Mardi Gras Day. Rex is Latin for "King",
and Rex reigns as "The King of Carnival".
Rex was
organized by New Orleans business men in part to put on a spectacle
in honor of the New Orleans visit of Grand Duke Alexis of Russia
during the 1872 Carnival season. Also in the minds of the founders
of Rex was the desire to lure tourism and business to New Orleans
in the years after the American Civil War.
The Rex parade is put on
by an organization called The School of Design. The organization
is related to the private New Orleans men's club The Boston
Club.
One member of the Rex Organization
is each year chosen to be the monarch of the organization; he
is often incorrectly referred to by the (technically redundant)
phrase "King Rex". The correct title is simply "Rex".
The identity of Rex is made public on Lundi Gras, the day before
Mardi Gras. Rex is always a prominent person in the city, one
who is usually involved in several philanthropic and civic causes.
Being chosen Rex is one of the highest civic honors a person
can receive in New Orleans. The Mayor of New Orleans traditionally
hands over a symbolic Key to the City of New Orleans to Rex
for Mardi Gras Day.
A consort is also chosen
each year for Rex, and she is titled the "Queen of Carnival".
The queen is almost always a debutante, attending college. Like
Rex, the queen is chosen in the spring of the previous year,
and must keep her identity secret until Lundi Gras.
While historically restricted
to people of European ancestry for most of its history, Rex
had no trouble complying with the 1991 anti-segregation ordinances
which ended the parades of the Mystick Krewe of Comus (see).
The first Rex (businessman Louis Solomon) was Jewish, although
for a number of years in the early 20th century Rex prohibited
entrance into the organization of any new Jewish members.
Rex has held more parades
in New Orleans than any other organization. It's official song
is "If Ever I Cease to Love", a quirky tune from the
1870s musical "Bluebeard". This was adopted because
the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia had a fondness for the actress
who sang the song in the musical, which was playing in New Orleans
at the time of the first Rex parade in 1872. It has stuck around
since then and is played often during Carnival.
Rex is categorized as one
of the four New Orleans "Super Krewes" for the very
large size of the parade; the others (Endymion, Bacchus, and
Orpheus) were all founded in the 2nd half of the 20th century
and parade during nights in the days leading up to Mardi Gras.
Rex is the only 19th century krewe and the only "super
krewe" to parade during the daytime.
The Rex parade has long
been known for very finely and artistically built floats. Many
consider the Rex parade to be the highlight and most beautiful
sight of New Orleans carnival. If one looks closely at some
of the Rex floats, they are built on old cotton wagons, their
wooden wheels leaving scratch marks on the pavement.
In addition its famous
parade, the Rex Organization also holds a private ball for its
membership and invited guests on Mardi Gras night. In the 1950s,
this ball made headlines when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
bowed down to Rex and the Queen of Carnival.
In recent decades, the
Rex ball is held on one side of the Municipal Auditorium, while
on the other half of the building at the same time, the Mistick
Krewe of Comus (the oldest krewe), holds its ball. A rich tradition
is that Comus (the monarch), extends an invitation to Rex and
his queen to join him and his consort at the Comus ball. This
is called the "Meeting of the Courts", and when the
monarchs have all made their exits, the Captain of Comus literally
closes the curtain on the Carnival season. This event is televised
live locally (and to selected areas outside of the city) - and
many New Orleanians stay up to watch - despite their weariness
- the very end.
Naming Krewe kings and queens at Mardi Gras balls has been a
tradition of the krewes ever since. Another tradition began
with that royal visit: the Romanoff house colors—purple
for justice, green for faith, and gold for power—became
the official colors of New Orleans Mardi Gras.
New Orleanians have since
formed a lot of secret societies that have served many charitable
and social functions. They often help unite the city with their
parade's political themes. In 1877, after a brief interruption
from the Civil War and the unrest that followed, the Krewe of
Momus held a parade with the theme "Hades, a Dream of Momus"
to ridicule President Grant and his Administration. During the
Persian Gulf War, the theme for many parades and costumes was
patriotism.
Mardi Gras can even poke
fun at itself. The blacks of New Orleans mocked the snobbishness
and exclusivity of Rex with their own parade. In 1909, William
Storey wore an old tin can for a crown instead of the more elaborate
crown Rex used. William was crowned "King Zulu" that
year, and was proceeded by "Provident Prince" and
the "Big Shot of Africa."
The Zulu Social Aid &
Pleasure Club (founded 1916) is a New Orleans Carnival Krewe
which puts on the Zulu parade each Mardi Gras Day. Zulu is New
Orleans' largest predominantly African American carnival organization.
The Zulu parade grew out
of an older small working-class African American marching club
called The Tramps in 1916. The members decided to satirize the
conventions of white New Orleans Mardi Gras, particularly the
Rex parade. Zulu also satirized white society's attitudes towards
and stereotypes of blacks.
While Rex arrived at the
foot of Canal Street in a yacht, the early versions of King
Zulu arrived on Carondolet Canal in a coal barge, wearing a
tin crown made from a lard can and holding a ham-bone, in parody
of Rex's jeweled crown and scepter. Members of the Zulus used
black and white makeup on their face in an even more highly
exaggerated style than the blackface makeup of the minstrel
show performers of the era.
The Zulu court wore grass
skirts. Back when the New Orleans police force was exclusively
white, a contingent of Zulus paraded wearing accurate duplicates
of New Orleans police uniforms.
Zulu was not the first
African American carnival organization in New Orleans, however
it was the first to stage a sizable public parade. Older "colored"
organizations restricted themselves to private balls and small
marching clubs. In its early years, the membership of Zulu was
largely working class, and often looked down on by more well
to do and educated New Orleans blacks. In addition to the carnival
parade, Zulu also arranged for funerals with a brass band for
deceased members.
As late as the mid 20th century Zulu
had no pre-publicised set route, but would wind around predominantly
black neighborhoods with stops at various clubs and bars,
in addition to a procession in front of city hall where the
Mayor of New Orleans and various dignitaries were in reviewing
stands waiting for Rex. By the 1920s Zulu had become enough
of a tradition that King Zulu and the Mayor exchanged toasts
on Mardi Gras morning. After the swing by old city hall, individual
Zulu floats would sometimes make their own way around the
city as Zulu broke apart into numerous mini-parades. Since
the 1960s Zulu has been required to hold to a set route like
all the other large parades.
As the race and identity
of individuals could be hidden by the blackface makeup, a small
number of whites joined Zulu even in the days of the Jim Crow
laws, making Zulu New Orleans' first racially integrated Carnival
Krewe even before this was legal.
In the early days the
Zulu floats were decorated wagons; later Zulu took to renting
floats already used early in the Carnival season by other Krewes.
This tradition continues. Zulu does a rapid customization of
these used floats before the parade, so that in the Zulu parade
one might see floats depicting the likeness of such figures
as Napoleon or The Beatles in blackface.
In 1949 Zulu had the first celebrity
carnival king when Louis Armstrong reigned as King of the
Zulus.
In the 1960s Zulu endured presure from
various civil rights organizations to disband because of its
use of the negative stereotype of blackface. Zulu continued
nonetheless, and is today one of the favorite parades of the
Carnival season.
Zulu coconuts, coconuts
which have been custom painted and decorated by Zulu riders,
are perhaps the most prized of all the handouts given to the
Mardi Gras crowds by New Orleans parades.
In 1993 the Zulus began their annual
public Lundi Gras festivities the day before Mardi Gras, in
Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River beside
the French Quarter. This quickly became a popular event, and
since the first one climaxes when the kings of Rex and Zulu
ceremonially greet each other.
Donning black face and white eyes is
another irresistible pun of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure
Club. Zulu's parade would meander from barroom to the barroom
in junky cars and wagons instead of floats.
If you wanted to catch the start of
the parade, you had to find the bar that was extending hospitality
to King Zulu. This Krewe didn't establish a parade route until
recently. Today, Zulu, withits beautiful modern floats, is
one of the more popular parades of the season! They are known
for their unique, hand-decorated coconut throws. Only a fortunate
few are lucky enough to get those!
Most Mardi Gras Krewes developed from
private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies.
Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded
by its members, we call it the "Greatest Free Show on
Earth"!
However, in 1991, the New Orleans City
Council introduced a parade organization anti-discrimination
ordinance; As a result; some of the oldest private clubs;Momus;
Comus and Proteus, no longer parade the streets. (Comus is
returning year 2000.) The most recently developed parade organizations
are open and not secretive: Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, and some
Metairie parades feature superstars on their floats -- and
all take place within the few days before Mardi Gras.
Krewes: New Orleans Royalty
Mardi Gras has long combined wild street activities open to
everyone with events organized by private clubs known as krewes.
Today, thousands of people belong to about 60 krewes that
plan the parades and balls of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The
oldest krewe, the Krewe of Comus, was founded in 1857 by men
who feared the outrageous antics of Mardi Gras would lead
to the holiday being outlawed. They hoped that secret societies
could keep the celebrations alive.
Most Mardi Gras Krewes
developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership
policies. Since all of these parade organizations are completely
funded by its members, we call it the "Greatest Free Show
on Earth"!
Throws
The millions of colorful beaded necklaces
thrown from floats are the most visible symbols and souvenirs
of Mardi Gras. In addition, millions of cups and toy coins
known as "doubloons" are decorated with krewe logos
and thrown to parade-watchers. Some "throws" are
especially prized: only the luckiest folks manage to take
home the hand-decorated coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu.
The throwing of trinkets
to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth
Night Revelers, and is a time-honored expectation for young
and old alike.
In 1884 (over 100 years ago!), Rex started using medallions
instead of trinkets. These medallions are represented by today's
doubloons. These doubloons are aluminum and anodized in many
different colors. They depict the parade theme on one side and
the Krewe's emblem on the other. They have become collector's
items.
Other popular throws include cups (otherwise
known as New Orleans equiste drinking glasses), long pearl
beads, Krewe Of Mid City's Parade Potato chips and stuffed
animals.
Be warned! If you're at your first parade
and reach down to pick up a doubloon with your hand, your
fingers may never be the same! Many stomp on doubloons in
their rush to claim them.
People do outrageous things to catch
the most throws. Some dress as priests, hoping the many Catholics
on the floats will shower them with goodies. Others dress
their children in eye-catching costumes and seat them, holding
baskets to catch the loot, on ladders that tower over the
crowds. Others give up on the costume ploy altogether, finding
that taking clothes off can be the quickest attention-getter.