Mardi Gras -- How Does It Work?

Each year, Mardi Gras generates nearly one billion dollars for the New Orleans economy. Since no commercial or corporate sponsorships of Mardi Gras parades are permitted, it is the Carnival club members who put on the show and foot the entire bill.

Mardi Gras organizations are non-profit clubs called krewes and many are named after mythological figures such as Aphrodite, Eros, Hermes, Pegasus and Thor. Each krewe is completely autonomous and there is no overall coordinator of Carnival activities. The secrecy with which some of the older krewes cloak themselves is part of the mystique of Mardi Gras. Several do not reveal the theme of the parade until the night of the event, and the identity of their royalty is never publicized. Most of the newer organizations take a more public approach. Krewe members pay dues, ranging from $250-$850. In addition, they spend as much as they wish on throws. 

Some krewes stage parades, others present private tableau balls or bal masques (masquerade balls in which scenes are acted out); many do both. About a dozen organizations dating from the 19th century use the Carnival ball as the highlight of the debutante season, as daughters of the socially elite members are presented at the city's Municipal Auditorium. Admittance is by invitation only and formal attire is required. Newer organizations have replaced the bal masque with lavish supper dances at the city's finer hotels.

A Carnival krewe is led by the captain, who is the permanent leader of the group. Each year, a king and queen are selected to reign over the parade. While most clubs select their royalty from within their own ranks, krewes such as Bacchus and Endymion invite guest celebrities to ride as their monarch or parade marshal. Stars such as Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, Dennis Quaid, Wayne Newton, Dolly Parton, John Goodman and Harry Connick, Jr. have been so honored. The recently established Krewe of Orpheus was founded by Harry Connick, Jr. There is no overall theme for Mardi Gras, yet each individual parade depicts a specific subject. Among the more popular are children's stories, mythology, famous people, entertainment and literature. The 15-37 floats in each procession are designed to illustrate the parade's theme, and the maskers are costumed to reflect the title of each float. But Mardi Gras parades are more than just floats. A 200-member parading krewe may actually have 3,000 participants, including band members, motorcycle groups, dance teams, clown units, etc.

 

 

This article was written by Arthur Hardy, publisher of the annual Mardi Gras Guide magazine, in cooperation with the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau.