{"id":4926,"date":"2012-12-17T21:11:36","date_gmt":"2012-12-17T21:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/?p=4926"},"modified":"2012-12-17T22:55:29","modified_gmt":"2012-12-17T22:55:29","slug":"mardi-gras-update-121712","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/?p=4926","title":{"rendered":"Mardi Gras Update 12\/17\/12"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lots of news to report, none of it huge, so I’m compiling it into one feature. Of course, the Super Bowl <\/a>returns to New Orleans in the middle of the Carnival season, so the parades in Orleans parish are split up<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Super<\/a>

Super Bowl 2013 Tickets in New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n

I’ve covered Slidell parades before<\/a>, as the first couple of entries are about North Shore parades.<\/p>\n

1. The Krewe of Claude, a parading krewe with 24 parades under its belt, has called it quits for 2013. No Slidell parade and no ball. Apparently membership had fallen to a point that neither event was possible. They promise to return for 2014, as they plan to pursue new members sooner rather than later. Last year the parade had around 12 floats and close to 200 members. In my crazier, wilder, younger Mardi Gras days, I used to take the family and guests to attend Claude, which runs very early in the season. We had a blast in those days, running to parades in Slidell.<\/p>\n

\"Krewe<\/a>

Krewe of Claude 2011<\/p><\/div>\n

2. For the past 25 years, the Original Krewe of Orpheus has rolled down the streets of Mandeville, throwing their signature pine cones. Unfortunately for Mardi Gras fans in Mandeville, the parade has been cancelled for 2013, according to Krewe Captain Brett Lowe,<\/p>\n

Last week, the Krewe of Lyra <\/a>announced they will not parade in Mandeville, but have moved its parade to follow the traditional parades in Covington Mardi Gras Day, the Mystic Krewe of Covington<\/a> and the Lion\u2019s Club.<\/p>\n

However, Orpheus has no plans of moving. According to Lowe, \u201cThe Original Krewe of Orpheus will stick to Mandeville.\u201d<\/p>\n

In connection with the decision, Lowe issued a press release that stated, \u201cOn behalf of Board of Directors, it is with major disappointment that we must inform everyone of our decision not to ride on Feb. 8, 2013. We have experienced financial difficulties through a decline in membership over the past few years, which dictates our abilities to produce a quality parade that we are proud of. We are re-organizing and will ride in 2014.<\/p>\n

Hoping to boost membership, the krewe will host a \u201crebirth party\u201d on its previously scheduled parade night, Feb. 8, 2013. For more information, interested parties can email Lowe at kreweoforpheus@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Mandeville all-women\u2019s Krewe of Eve<\/a> had extend an opportunity to Orpheus to parade behind their krewe on Feb. 1, but Lowe said that was not the route Orpheus wished to take. He thanked them for their offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was given in the true spirit of Mardi Gras, and we appreciate their kindness, and commitment to the community,\u201d he said in a statement issued Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Lowe stated the organization will continue to be a men\u2019s krewe, and the re-organization party will replace the krewe\u2019s annual ball Feb. 8, with women included as they would be at the ball. There will be a slight charge and interested parties should contact the krewe.<\/p>\n

Regulations in the city of Mandeville requiring a minimum number of 150 riders paid a \u201cslight part\u201d in the group\u2019s decision not to ride, according to Lowe. As with most parades throughout the area, a permit and insurance is also required.<\/p>\n

The Original Krewe of Orpheus was founded in April 1987, a year after the Krewe of Eve had successfully made its debut. Its first parade was in 1988 with 13 floats plus local and regional marching bands. Its signature throw, the pineloon, was originally a pine cone covered in glitter, sitting atop a doubloon base. More recently, it was a plastic pine cone necklace.<\/p>\n

Ironically, this past year was the 25th anniversary year with the theme \u201cOrpheus\u2019 Silver Lining.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Orleans Parish’s Krewe of Orpheus<\/a> announced 2013 plans- Leading the festivities and parade with Harry Connick<\/a>, Jr. are other celebrity monarchs including star of the CBS hit show CSI New York<\/em>, Gary Sinise; Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews; Animal Planet’s Tillman the skateboarding bulldog; and returning monarchs, Law & Order SVU’s<\/em> Mariska Hargitay, and the Imagination Movers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Harry’s got a new Mardi Gras album<\/a> named Mardi Gras in New Orleans<\/em>. That’s an original title if I’ve every heard of one!!<\/p>\n