Book Your Krewes Through New Orleans

A few days ago, my dad (who I swear will one day stop appearing in all my blog posts) got a text from a friend in Louisiana. "I'm on float number five!" dad announced. Why is this relevant to anyone? Because if my dad, a New Orleanian who rides in the Bacchus parade at Mardi Gras, already knows which float he'll be on this coming February, you'd better get planning if you want to be riding next to him. (You don't, trust me. But the opportunity to participate like a native in Mardi Gras is worth the risk.)

Unbeknownst to many outsiders, several New Orleans parade krewes offer anyone interested the chance to be a member and ride in the floats. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis, and as Krewe of Pygmalion captain Jack Rizzuto puts it, "The earlier the better!"

If you want to go all out, the historic Krewe of Zulu (officially the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club) offers a 2009 Zulu Parade Package for $1,500. The hefty price is likely due to Zulu's status as a veritable New Orleans institution, started in 1909. The package includes everything you need to ride (costume, throws, make-up) in addition to not-too-shabby perks like insurance (yes, you might die), breakfast the morning of, and an invitation to the private Zulu Lundi Gras party (that's the Monday before Fat Tuesday). For an interesting side note, check out Zulu'€™s checkered history involving coconuts and the law. (Eighth paragraph from the bottom.) Individuals are encouraged to contact Lester Pollard, Jr. or Don "Doc" Ganier for more information.

The Krewe of Pygmalion, relatively young at just 10 years old, is appreciably more budget-friendly with a basic 2009 membership rate of $­395 (ride, costume, and pre-party only) and a deluxe rate of $750 (ride, costume, lots of parties, and a medallion included). Scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2009, Pygmalion is the first parade of the year to grace New Orleans' famously beautiful main street, St. Charles Avenue. Contact Michelle S. Jones for an application. Rizzuto says the krewe will do everything  it can to accommodate procrastinators, even if it means adding an extra float to the parade as late as a week before; but, he warns, "you might get stuck wearing a standard-sized costume." When you book early, you get full pick of all the offered sizes, ensuring you look your best for the special day. 

The Corps de Napoleon takes place in Metairie, Louisiana, just next to New Orleans proper, and is great for first-timers looking to get their feet wet. Napoleon offers an online membership application, and eagerly accommodates out-of-towners with group membership applications and perks like having your "€œthrows" pre-loaded onto the float. Don'€™t underestimate the significance of this, as those beads and trinkets can weigh a lot.

Other tourist-friendly krewes include the Krewe of Pegasus and the Krewe of Pontchartrain, both of which are enthusiastic about recruiting first-time riders. The Krewe of Pegasus offers membership packages for groups and has a special student rate for full-time college and high school students (accepting riders as young as 15!). The cheerful Krewe of Pontchartrain, named after the prominent lake, offers visitor packages and a Web site with videos and photos sure to get you geared up for Mardi Gras. Membership with the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is worth a look for the krewe's dedication to supporting nonprofits and artistic ventures in New Orleans.

Katrina resulted in dwindling membership and tough times for every krewe in New Orleans. Joining in a parade is a great chance to help keep the good times rolling. The floats fill up fast; MardiGrasParadeSchedule.com provides a seconds-accurate countdown to the festivities.

Photos by Alexandra Burguieres

Comments

[Lena]

wow, I never knew. It's the first time I've been tempted to go to Mardi Gras...though I will likely be on the procrastinator float...

[Allison Cooper]

Interesting article. I didn't know about the Zulus or most of this stuff before.

[Nell Minow]

A wonderfully vivid description! I had no idea outsiders were allowed to join krewes -- I thought it was a privilege handed down from parent to child in a ceremony with secret vows and stuff like that. What a blast.