There hasn’t been a more important Carnival season since 2006 when Mardi Gras bounced back following Hurricane Katrina. The highly anticipated “Comeback Carnival” of 2022 was a huge success—one of the most joyful parade seasons ever, with grateful crowds enjoying incredible weather during the 12-day official parade season. Concern over crime trumped concern over Covid, but the season was a safe one, not withstanding two non-parade related shootings near parade routes.

A YEAR NOT WITHOUT CHALLENGES

Not until November 8, 2021 was it even certain that the City would permit the celebration to return after last year’s Covid-related cancelation of all parades and balls. Much to the consternation of float riders, businesses, and residences along parade routes, not until December 21 were parade maps released, all with shortened routes.

Citing a manpower shortage, the Mayor called for “shared sacrifice,” and trimmed all parade routes. Uptown parades had their starting points moved to Napoleon and Prytania, with the exception of Iris and Rex, which started on Napoleon and Carondelet. Zulu kept the traditional Jackson Avenue leg of its route, but lost Canal Street. Endymion got to start in Mid- City but did not parade on St. Charles Avenue. The Krewe of Thoth, known as the krewe of the “shut-ins,” because its unique route is designed to pass institutions that care for persons with disabilities and illnesses, was hit the hardest when the first 28 blocks of its route were cut. So, for the first time in 75 years, Thoth could not bring Carnival joy to those who could not otherwise see a parade. The City is on record as saying these changes are temporary, but there is great concern in the Carnival community that once in place, these routes may become permanent. Many krewe leaders, while recognizing the need to compromise, wondered about the wisdom of moving more people onto a shorter parade route at a time when social distancing was still being encouraged. And if the routes become permanent, even more people will be jammed into a smaller space when tourists likely return in full force next year.

Krewes did their best to comply with the City’s arduous and some say silly requirements that put restrictions on parade participants but not on the hundreds of thousands who gathered to see the parades. Apparently, the City had no plan in place to verify compliance with or enforcement of their own regulations.

The opening night of the parade season in New Orleans featured a triple-header with Oshun, Cleopatra, and Alla scheduled. Sadly, there were

serious delays that pushed the 90-year-old Krewe of Alla to a 9 PM starting time, with the final floats hitting the disbanding area at 1 AM. This is an untenable situation. Bands that had reported to the lineup area at five o’clock for a scheduled 7 PM start were exhausted. Parade goers had long since packed up and gone home, leaving Alla members with no one to throw to. A solution must be found to avoid this next year.

In Orleans Parish, clubs that apply for Mardi Gras parade permits must roll within the 12-day period leading up to Fat Tuesday and follow specific requirements. Any other parade, outside of those 12 days, must follow a different set of guidelines, including the need to hire off-duty police to work details. Normally this has worked well but not this year. Because of a lack of willing officers, routes were shortened with as little as 72 hours notice before parade time for some krewes. This is unfair to the clubs and to the businesses along their anticipated parade routes. “Alternative” krewes such as Chewbacchus, Krewe Boheme, Petite Rex, Krewe DuVieux, and delusion are an important part of Carnival and deserve more respect than they get. Collectively, perhaps they deserve one seat on the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council where their concerns can be addressed.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Carnival’s largest clubs maintained their size or added members this year.

New parades included the Krewe of Symphony that followed the Knights of Excalibur in Metairie and the Culinary Queens of New Orleans that rolled at night one week before Mardi Gras in Marrero. Officials have not yet indicated if these parades met the minimum standards for parades in Jefferson Parish.

What was planned to be a triple-header on Family Gras Sunday in Jefferson Parish featured only the 14-float Krewe of Atlas parade. The Krewe of Kings did not parade in 2022 in Metairie, and the new Krewe of Caerus decided to push its debut to 2023. The Krewe of Pandora took a year off and did not parade in its slot on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.

The City of Slidell lost both parades that traditionally paraded on the first Sunday of the season. The Krewe of Slidellians announced last year that it would no longer parade, and members of the 50-year-old Krewe of Perseus decided it could no longer present a parade.

Meanwhile, the Krewe of Adonis, which has paraded since 1999 on the West Bank through both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, did not parade in 2022.

Three new Nyx off-shoot krewes that popped up last year with plans to parade in New Orleans found homes within existing clubs. The Order of

the Phoenix rode in the Knights of Sparta parade; the Krewe of Harmonia joined the Krewe of Pygmalion; and the Krewe of Themis rode in the Freret parade.

NEW APPRECIATION OF HISTORY

Inspired partially by the 150th anniversary of Rex, there was a renewed interest in Carnival history this year, with major exhibits at the Louisiana State Museum, at The Historic New Orleans Collection, and at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge. Virtual history seminars were presented by the Friends of the Cabildo and THNOC. The AARP also presented a four-night virtual event—the Historical Significance of New Orleans’ Black Mardi Gras: A Celebration of Culture & Community.

Both the Twelfth Night Revelers and Rex published books commemorating their anniversaries.

NOTES & OPINIONS FROM OUR POLL OF CAPTAINS AND FACEBOOK RESPONSES FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC

· There was a huge amount of praise expressed by krewe captains for the work NOPD did this year.

· The number of truck floats in New Orleans and Metairie took a big tumble this year.

· The Krewe of Druids received high marks from one parade goer who proclaimed, “The tractor float signage for Druids was the best so far this season. In fact, I can’t think who I would put in second place. The black background with the white paint was the most readable so far this parade season. For someone who reads tractor signs this was important to me. Outstanding job on the signs!”

· Look for new captains at the helm of the Alla and Oshun parades in 2023.

· The mesh dividers placed between units of tandem floats seemed to work well with no incidents reported.

· Parades in Slidell, Covington, and Mandeville claimed near record crowds, while reports from Jefferson Parish indicated crowds were smaller than expected on Fat Tuesday.

· In New Orleans, crowds were smaller than expected for Endymion and Bacchus. Clearly, much larger crowds now attend parades on Mardi Gras weekend than those on Fat Tuesday, especially this year when fewer visitors were in town than in years past.

· Several riders and krewe captains report a disappointing trend—expensive and coveted throws being left untouched on the ground.

· Satire in parades this year was toned down a bit.

· Two veteran parade goers who see almost all parades and whose opinions I trust, had high praise for four parades this year—King Arthur, Cleopatra, Pygmalion, MadHatters, and Poseidon.

· Muses deserves credit, not only for its reusable throws but also for partnering with the New Orleans Health Department to hand out Covid test kits.

· Many krewe captains and several band directors were unhappy with the fast pace of parades in Orleans parish. Three krewes reported their quickest rides ever.

· The return of Family Gras to the area opposite Lakeside Shopping Mall was very well received.

· The Krewe of Iris offered their members the first biodegradable, sustainable, recyclable throw packages that promoted Louisiana products.

· The Krewe of Nyx returned with a small 14-float parade that was met with some protests.

· Expect the price of throws to increase in 2023 due to shipping charges from China that have nearly tripled.

· Celebrities riders this year included Josh Duhamel as Bacchus; Harry Connick Jr., Tyrus, and Finn Jones in Orpheus; Raymond Arroyo in Endymion; Swin Cash in Muses; and Thomas Morestead in Argus.

· Endymion’s return to the Superdome was a success with more than 17,000 in attendance to see Diana Ross, and Maroon Five. Next year they return to the Convention Center while Superdome renovations continue in advance of the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans.

· Rumors have started that Jefferson Parish may consolidate the parade calendar by moving Athena to the first weekend. Argus and the truck parades would not be affected.

· Several krewes experienced problems with throw-backs this year. This practice is illegal and very dangerous.

· No explanation has been given as to why meter maids did not seem to be out in force this year.

· The captain of Babylon celebrated 60 years as a riding member in the krewe, and he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 25.

· Endymion honored first responders on a special float in the parade. Float designer and painter Randy Morrison passed away and will be missed.

· The 150th anniversary Rex parade featured two firsts—a new signature float pulled by mules that led the parade and a tandem float at the end to accommodate the overflow riders who wished to ride in this special parade.

· The City Ordinance that rental floats may not be used more than twice in Orleans Parish is not being enforced.

· The Rex 150th Anniversary banners that flew over their parade route were a nice addition.

· City officials report the largest Fat Tuesday crowds ever."Carnival in Covington had the most floats we’ve ever had in a parade on the North Shore. 450 riders in Carnival in Covington not to mention the 20 floats, dance groups, horse groups, and walkers. Tammany Gras, the after party, was attended by roughly 4000 people. Kids costume contest and adult costume contest was a huge success.It was a safe, family friendly, great day on the Northshore!

The City, NOPD, first responders, the krewes, and the citizens of New Orleans deserve a lot of credit for staging a successful and memorable Carnival season.

Fat Tuesday next year falls on February 21. To start getting ready, the

Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council will meet on March 26.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

MARDI GRAS: BY THE NUMBERS PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM DELIVERS A SAFE CELEBRATION
NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans announced the success of the 2022 Carnival Season leading up to Mardi Gras Day, largely due to the work of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the entire unified command team of local, state, and federal public safety partners.

Mardi Gras by the numbers from Feb. 18 – March 1
NOPD, along with law enforcement partners, reported 125 arrests and the removal of more than 52 guns from city streets during the two major weekends of the season.

The Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD), which is responsible for 9-1-1 services in Orleans Parish, reported receiving 27,776 calls, with 98.5 percent of those answered in less than 15 seconds. OPCD also reported 18,800 public safety incidents logged during this period.

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) distributed 35,798 COVID-19 test kits, totaling almost 70,206 tests provided during this time period. NOHD also distributed 4,000 masks and activated first aid stations along the parade routes staffed by 172 volunteers who worked a combined 2,102 hours.

The New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department reported receiving 2,399 calls for service from Feb. 18 through Feb. 28—505 were parade related. On Mardi Gras Day, March 1, EMS received 343 calls for service—105 were parade related.

As usual on Fat Tuesday, the calendar starts at 8:00 AM with the Zulu parade, with the theme, Zulu Salutes Divas and Legends. Look for special floats that bear Zulu’s legendary characters—Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Governor, Mr. Big Stuff, Mayor, and Province Prince. Zulu set a record this year with 37 maids who are also presented in the parade. The club’s 1,500 members and their riding guests throw a wide assortment of Zulu-emblemed throws, but what everyone really wants is the most coveted catch of the season, the treasured Zulu coconuts, which are handed to lucky parade watchers. Please note that this year Zulu will not appear on Canal Street.

At 10:30 AM, Rex‚ the oldest parading Carnival organization (150 years old), presents School of Design Sesquicentennial, its 140th parade. Led by the Captain on his white horse and accompanied by 33 lieutenants on horseback, the 28-float procession is a highlight of the season. To honor a century and a half of rich artistry, the 2022 Rex parade recalls memorable themes and float designs from the School of Design’s long history. Watch for a new mule-drawn, riderless float displaying Rex heraldry along with six iconic permanent floats, including the animated “Butterfly King” float and the traditional “Boeuf Gras.” Members will throw Rex doubloons—introduced more than 60 years ago—and classic glass beads, but many parade-goers will be trying to collect a full set of float-specific beads and other signature throws. Note that this year the parade starts at Napoleon and Carondelet.

The truck parades of the Elks Orleanians and Crescent City follow Rex with a total of 150 trucks.

In Metairie at 10 AM, Argus rolls with its theme Won’t You Be My Neighbor? The 48th annual parade features more than 400 men, women, and children. The club owns all 20 of its floats. Krewe signature throws include a 10-inch plush peacock named “Gus.” The Argus parade traditionally features nearly 60 units. Guest Grand Marshal is NFL punter Thomas Morestead, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.

Following Argus in Metairie are the Elks Jeffersonians and the Krewe of Jefferson truck parades. Some 40 trucks will participate this year.

Lundi Gras activities near the Mississippi River include the Zulu arrival by boat at Woldenberg Park and Rex river arrival at Spanish Plaza at the Riverwalk. Afterward, folks can see back-to-back parades, Proteus and Orpheus, that span two centuries of parading history.

One of the year’s prettiest parades is presented by the oldest of all nighttime krewes. At 5:15 PM, the 230 men of Proteus are led by the captain on horseback and followed by 34 riding lieutenants and 50 flambeaux. The 20-float procession, the club’s 116th, has as its theme, Divine Tricksters. Royal Artists constructed the floats on chassis that date from the 1880s. The identity of the gentleman who portrays Proteus is never revealed to the public, but his magnificent seashell float is a thing of beauty. The krewe’s most collectible throws are plush LED flambeaux and plush trident crowns, and a new throw—lighted doubloons.

Glacial Tomes & Conflagrations is the theme of Orpheus’s 28th procession. The krewe of 1,500 male and female members will ride 27 floats with subjects such as “The Inferno Of Hades,” “God Of The North Wind,” and “Fenrir Devours The Sun.” Legendary among Orpheus’s floats are the “Leviathan,” “Trojan Horse,” and the “Smokey Mary” eight-tandem, which holds 230 riders. Every float is decorated in

beautifully designed flowers, which make the Orpheus parade unique. Sixty old-line flambeaux will light the route. This year’s most collectible throws are special 2.5-inch gold Orpheus Legend Gold Record doubloons. Other throws include Orpheus medallion beads. The Orpheuscapade, post-parade celebration, is held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Four parades uptown and one in Metairie are on tap the Sunday before Fat Tuesday. Starting at an early 11 AM, with the theme Love Stories, Okeanos rolls with a 25-float procession. The parade traditionally features nearly 90 units, including several Jazz Bands. Krewe-emblemed throws include pearl bracelets and riding crops. The Okeanos signature 13.5-inch teal crawfish trays will be the most prized throws in 2022.

With its unique tin foil covered floats, the Krewe of Mid-City remains a fan favorite even though the club no longer parades through its namesake neighborhood. A new captain leads the 175-member co-ed club with this year’s exotic theme,

Entertainment Under the Sea. Members throw T-shirts, potato chips, and doubloons in heart-shaped cutouts.

The Krewe of Thoth, with a membership of more than 2,000 men and a procession of 41 floats (16 tandems), has become one of Carnival’s most anticipated events. Sadly, the City eliminated the first and most important 28 blocks of the route, where for 74 years, the krewe had brought Mardi Gras to shut-ins in various institutions. The theme is A Gift For You. Entertainer Richard “Piano” Scott will ride and perform as Grand Marshal. Theme-related throws include Thoth Sunday-shirts, fedoras, and pyramid-shaped doubloons.

Starting at 5:15 PM it’s Bacchus, the club that changed Mardi Gras when it debuted in 1969 and now has a membership of 1,650 men. Bacchus LIII is actor Josh Duhamel. The 32-float procession is entitled From the Heart. Floats by Kern Studios include subjects such as I Love New Orleans, Heart Surgeons, and Purple Heart. Among the club’s many logo items are Bacchus bandages, Bacchus toothbrushes, socks, silicone pint glasses, and glass beads. Theme doubloons, as well as king, page, riding lieutenant, king’s guard, and heart-shaped doubloons will also be thrown. The 100-plus-unit parade ends inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center where the Bacchus Rendezvous is staged.

In Metairie the African-American Krewe of Athena presents its seventh annual parade entitled A Change Gonna Come. With 24 floats and 580 members, this female Carnival krewe is now one of Metairie’s largest. Riding as Grand Marshal is Aleia Hobbs, American professional track and field athlete, U.S. Champion, and Silver Olympic Medalist. Signature throws include hand decorated fedora hats, LED light up cups, Athena dolls, various plush items and “pop-its.” The parade features more than 50 units, and trophies are presented to the winners of the annual band contest.

The Saturday before Fat Tuesday features five parades starting at 10:45 in the morning when NOMTOC, “the Pride of Algiers,” rolls with a 27-float procession. NOMTOC stands for New Orleans’ Most Talked Of Club. This year’s theme of the predominantly African-American krewe is NOMTOC’s Passport To Happiness. Among their many throws, the 645 members will toss cutout Jugmen doubloons.

Iris, Carnival’s oldest female krewe, parades uptown at 11 AM with 35 floats, courtesy Kern Studios. The theme is Iris Is On A Roll. The Krewe of Iris enjoys a membership of 3,400 women. More than 40 marching units will appear. Iris features biodegradable, sustainable, recyclable throw packages. The most collectible throws will be their signature, decorated sunglasses.

Following Iris is the Krewe of Tucks with its parade entitled Tucks Razes The Bar. This 2,100-member club of men and women is known for its irreverence. Signature floats include Funky Tucks, Friar Tuck, Naughtyham, Giant Royal Throne, and the Tucks Booze Cruise float. Tucks throws a wide assortment of signature items, including squirting plastic toilets and krewe crested toilet paper in three colors. Toilet brushes decorated by the Magnolia School will be handed out.

Legends of Fire and Ice is the theme for the 55th annual parade of the Endymion super-krewe of 3,200 men. If all the tandem units were separated, the parade would feature 81 floats. Special floats include a renovated title float, the nine-section, 300-foot long Pontchartrain Beach float, which holds nearly 250 riders, the E-TV float, and the Club Endymion float. First responders will be honored in the parade, which features more than 90 units. The men will throw an abundant assortment of krewe-signature items such as lighted items, including doubloons. Riding as Grand Marshal is Raymond Arroyo. Music legend Diana Ross, Maroon Five, and Party on The Moon will entertain at the 2022 Endymion Extravaganza inside the Caesars Superdome where the parade ends.

The 200 female members of the Krewe of Isis, the oldest Carnival organization in Jefferson Parish, moved to Kenner in 2020 and expects huge crowds for its parade. The theme is A Story To Tell. Expect 17 floats and neat throws such as ankh-shaped doubloons. With the club’s commitment to breast cancer charities, members will be tossing hand-decorated bras