The Krewe Of Endymion: A local businessman started this parade to allow New Orleanians from all walks of life the enjoyment of belonging to a super krewe. The king is not elected, but is selected from a blind draw--how democratic, and how different from most of the more self-conscious social groups that comprise some of the other parades. Endymion first paraded in 1967 in the Mid-City area of town, somewhat away from the usual St. Charles Avenue route. That is still its chosen path.
The Hierarchy: Endymion has a king and queen, chosen from among its members. However, it always has a celebrity grand marshall, who in the past have ranged from Doc Sevrinson to Alice Cooper, Dolly Parton to Britany Spears, Emeril Lagasse to Jerry Springer.
Floats: Papa Joe's S.S. Endymion is a replica of a Mississippi River steamboat, is 56 feet long, and was Mardi Gras's first super float. "Creature Feature" is 120 feet long and carries the sub krewe "Krewe of Yats" with its own set of doubloons and other throws. "Captain Eddie's S.S. Endymion" is a five tandem float depicting a 150 foot steamboat and carries a live band plus 200 riders. She emits smoke from her twin stacks, and is lit by thousands of fiberoptic lights.
The Throws.: The motto is "throw 'til it hurts." Endymion has signature beads and cups, and highly sought after doubloons.
When: The Saturday before Mardi Gras in Mid-City
