Mardi Gras Beads & Parades

What Is a Krewe? How Mardi Gras Clubs Work

By Mardi Gras Beads Factory ·

A Mardi Gras parade float rolling down a New Orleans street
Photo: Library of Congress / Unsplash

Every Mardi Gras parade has a club behind it. In Louisiana, that club is called a krewe (say it like “crew”). Krewes plan the parade, build or rent the floats, pick a theme, and ride on parade day. Many also throw a big party called a ball. Here is how it all works.

What does “krewe” mean?

A krewe is a club that puts on Mardi Gras events, like a parade, a ball, or both. The word is just an old-fashioned way to spell “crew.”

The spelling goes back to the first New Orleans parade club of its kind, the Mistick Krewe of Comus. Its founders used the fancy, old-looking spellings “Mistick” and “Krewe” on purpose. They wanted the club to sound mysterious and old. The word caught on, and now almost every Carnival club uses it.

Where did krewes come from?

Before the 1850s, Carnival in New Orleans was mostly street parties and people in masks. It could get rowdy.

Comus changed that. Its members, inspired by Carnival societies in Mobile, Alabama, staged a night parade on Mardi Gras in 1857. The riders dressed as demons from the poem Paradise Lost. After the parade, they held a private ball at a theater. That one night set the pattern for Carnival that still holds: a themed parade, followed by a ball.

Sources differ a little on when Comus was founded. Some say late 1856, some say early 1857. All agree its first parade was in 1857.

More krewes followed. Rex formed in 1872 and gave New Orleans its first big daytime parade, with a King of Carnival. Les Mysterieuses, formed in 1896, was the first large krewe of women. The Illinois Club, formed in 1895, was one of the first Black Carnival clubs. And in the early 1900s, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club began parading on Mardi Gras Day.

Today there are krewes in towns all over south Louisiana, and in other Gulf Coast cities too.

How do themes and floats work?

Most krewes pick a new theme each year. A theme might be fairy tales, Louisiana history, famous songs, or something silly. Each float in the parade shows one part of that theme.

For example, if the theme is “Stories from the Bayou,” one float might show a giant alligator, and the next a fishing camp. When the parade rolls, the floats tell the story one by one.

The krewe also has its own:

  • Name. Many come from Greek and Roman myths, like Comus, Bacchus or Hermes. Others honor a place or a group of people.
  • Royalty. Most krewes crown a king and queen each year.
  • Colors and signature throws. Some krewes are known for one special throw, like Zulu’s decorated coconuts or Muses’ hand-decorated shoes.

What is a Mardi Gras ball?

A ball is a formal party a krewe throws during Carnival season. It is very different from the parade. People dress up in gowns and tuxedos.

Many old-line balls follow traditions that go back more than a hundred years:

  • Tableaux. These are short stage shows, with costumes and scenery, that act out a story. New Orleans & Company, the city’s tourism office, says more than 20 balls still present tableaux.
  • The royal court. The krewe’s king, queen and court are shown to the guests, followed by a grand march.
  • Dancing into the night.

More than a hundred Carnival balls take place in New Orleans each year. Most are invitation-only. A few are open to the public.

How do people join a krewe?

It depends on the krewe. There is no single rule. Here are the common ways it works:

  • By invitation. Many older krewes only take new members who are invited or sponsored by someone already in the club. A board may then vote on them.
  • By application. Some krewes let people apply with a form, sometimes online. Some open sign-ups only at certain times of year.
  • Waitlists. Popular krewes can be full. You may need to sign up and wait for an opening.

Members pay dues each year. Dues help cover things like floats, costumes and the ball. Some krewes also ask members to help build floats or work at events.

If you want to ride, the best first step is simple: pick a krewe you like, visit its website, and look for a “join” or “membership” page. Ask friends who ride, too. At krewes that take members by invitation only, knowing a rider is the way in.

Can I enjoy a krewe without joining?

Of course. The parade is free and open to everyone. Just find a spot on the route, wave, and cheer. To see which krewes roll near you, check the Mardi Gras parade schedule.

Sources

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