Posts tagged New Orleans Brass Bands

My Float: #15, 2009 KdV sub Krewe of Underwear float

February 7, 2009- Krewe du Vieux, the only French Quarter-Marigny mule driven Mardi Gras parade, rolled around 7:00 pm. This was my first year associated with KdV.  It’s the most ribald parade also, heavy on the political satire. 17 floats with 19 New Orleans Brass Bands.

I do have a history with KdV’s predecessor, the  Krewe of Clones. The Contemporary Arts Center started Clones in late 70s. We learned that the person managing the parade took his partying seriously and by the time the last floats joined in the parade, he wasn’t in the best shape to conduct his duties. We would paint our old VW bus into a giraffe or elephant, and drive right into the parade.  We did this for several years.

I also had my own float in Tucks for three years during the time that Tucks allowed independent floats for a price. I would rent a stakebed truck and we’d decorate this. Here’s a picture of one of my three floats. I think this is the first one.   The fee was around $500.00 each year. 25 of my friends from around the country would come down and ride with my family and neighborhood kids.

My friend Jack got me involved with KdV a couple of weeks ago,  when he mentioned that the sub-krewe he marched with,  Krewe of Underwear, needed a couple of additional escorts. Escorts are the Krewe’s security force, maintaining order on the parade route.  I signed up through the Krewe’s  Escort Manager, Jen.  It’s a volunteer position with heavy perks.  In my estimation, well worth the effort.