Of all the Mardi Gras parades, one of my favorites is the Krewe du Vieux. This is not a parade for children or those with religious sensitives. Krewe du Vieux always has irreverent and satirical themes.
Krewe du Vieux is made up of several different small krewes and they each have their own theme. Some of the sub krewes are, the Krewe of C.R.U.D.E., Krewe of Underwear, Seeds of Decline, Krewe of Mama Roux, Krewe of L.E.W.D., Krewe of K.A.O.S., Krewe de C.R.A.P.S., Mystic Krewe of Spermes, Krewe of Comatose, Mystic Krewe of Inane, and Krewe du Mishigas.
It is one of the very few parades allowed to roll through the French Quarter, possibly because its floats are mule or human drawn. (There's a rumor going around town that the Captain of the Krewe du Vieux brings golden doughnuts to the French Quarter police station every year to ensure the route remains the same, but so far I have been unable to verify that. In fact, there are new rumors that a "Mysterious New Route" will be announced.
The 2006 parade revolved around FEMA, a real four-letter word in New Orleans these days. Paraders, dressed in "FEMA blue", the blue tarps that still covered many roofs, including mine, marched through the French Quarter and the Marigny.
In 2007,the theme was "Habit for Insanity."
In 2008 the parade's theme was the "Magical Misery Tour," The individual Krewes used songs from the implied Beatles Album in their own creative way. There will be the "We All Live in a Jello Shot Machine," "Fools on the Hill" (Politicos perhaps???), "All You Need is Cash," and my personal favorite, "When Life Gives You Shit…Grow Mushrooms."
2009's Theme is "Stimulus Package" and the themes for the individual krewes are in keeping with that theme. To say that the theme is decidedly sexual, is putting it mildly.
Some of the greatest brass bands you will ever hear usually march. Kirk Joseph, Trombone Shorty, the Treme Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band, and the Rebirth Brass Band are just a few of them.
If you missed this parade, check out the schedule for more.
