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Mardi Gras Krewe History
What is a Mardi Gras Krewe?
A krewe is any group or organization of friends who would like to band together to host a Mardi Gras ball, ride on a Mardi Gras parade float, and participate in social events throughout the year. In Southwest Louisiana, there are more than 60 krewes, a number that continues to grow each season. Each krewe is a part of a larger organization called Krewe of Krewes that formed in 1979 when the area's krewes joined together to create a parade for the community's enjoyment. Now the culmination of Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras festivities, The Main Event formerly known as the Krewe of Krewes Parade was first held in 1980.
How to Join a Krewe:
Joining a krewe usually means that you have been invited to join, or you are friends with someone in the krewe, and you ask if you are able to join the Krewe. Depending on the krewe, there could be a waiting list to join, but if you are able to become a member through an existing krewe member's recommendation, there are typically dues that must be paid. Also, you would receive a copy of the bylaws and any agreements that the krewe has for members to remain in good standing.
How Krewes Contribute to the Community:
Each krewe has its own activities and community contributions or service projects so that the krewe's membership stays active year-round.
Krewes with Public Events:
Most krewes have private Mardi Gras Balls without a public-facing portion beside the events established by Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana, Inc., such as Twelfth Night and the Royal Gala. However, the Krewe of Cosmos in Sulphur and the Krewe of Illusions both have public events and presentations that can be observed by an audience.
The List of Active Krewes in Southwest Louisiana:
12th Night Revelers
Alcooliques, Krewe de les
Amis, Krewe des
Est. 1979
Athena, Krewe of
Est. 2002
www.kreweofathena.com
Autre Chance, Krewe de
Est. 2003
Barataria, Krewe of
Beau Terre, Krewe de
Est. 2013
Bien Faire, Krewe de
Est. 2013
Bon Amis, Krewe des
Est. 2005
Bon Coeur, Krewe du
Est. 1996
Boot, Krewe of the
Est. 2022
Boucaniers, Krewe de la
Cajun Fous, Krewe de
Est. 2018
Cajuns, Krewe de les
Est. 1990
Carnivale, Krewe de
C'est la Vie Mes Amis, Krewe
Est. 1995
C'est Tout Bon, Krewe de
Est. 2012
Chaos, Krewe of
Est. 2005
Charlie Sioux, Krewe de
Est. 1996
Chetu Jadi, Krewe
Est. 1987
Classique, Krewe de
Contraband, Krewe of
Est. 1963
Club de la Contree, Krewe du
Est. 1990
Cosmos, Krewe of - Calcasieu Parish's First Merrymakers
Est. 1951
Couillion Cadien, Krewe des
Est. 2008
Couillon, Krewe du
déjà vu de Monde, Krewe
Est. 1989
Embrasser Bon Vie, Krewe de
Famille, Krewe de la
Est. 1979
Feteurs, Krewe du
Est. 1984
Fou, Krewe de la
Fous Amis, Krewe de
Est. 2016
Gens Contents, Krewe des
Est. 1997
Gens Extraordinaries, La Krewe des
Good Times, Krewe of
Est. 2011
Grande Bois, Krewe du
Est. 1980
Gratin, Krewe de
Gumbo YaYa, Krewe of
Est. 2012
Illusions, Krewe of
Est. 1989
Komova, Krewe of
Est. 1987
Lac, Krewe du
Est. 1983
www.krewedulac.com
L'Amitie, Krewe de
Est. 2002
Lapin Martelé, Krewe du
Est. 2017
le Originales et les Enfants, Krewe du
Est. 1998
Le Revere, Krewe
L'eau, Krewe de
L'Ecore, Krewe de
Est. 1998
Louisianne, Krewe de la
Est. 2001
L'Possede, Krewe de
Lunatiques, Krewe des
Est. 1988
Madness, Krewe of
Est. 2018
Magnifiques, Krewe des
Est. 1998
Maison Calcasieu, Krewe de la
Est. 1999
Maitres Fous, Krewe des
Est. 2013
Malicieux, Krewe du
Marsh, Krewe of the
Est. 2007
Masque, Krewe du
Est. 1998
Mischief, Krewe of
Morpheus, Krewe of
Est. 2002
Mystique, Krewe of
Est. 1973
Noblesse, Krewe de la
Est. 1985
Omega, Krewe of
Est. 1970
Ouvert D'esprit, Krewe des
Paon, Krewe de
Passionne, Krewe de la
Piniere de Beauregard, Krewe de
Pirates, Krewe des
Ruckus, Krewe de
Est. 2014
Sauvage, Krewe du
Est. 2003
Soiree Chaude, Krewe de
Soiree, Krewe de la
Est. 2014
South, Krewe of the
Est. 2020
Tracas, Krewe de
Est. 2011
Trelos, Krewe de
Est. 2014
Vacher, Krewe de
Valhalla, Krewe de
Venus, Krewe of
Est. 2017
Vie Simplique, Krewe de la
Voleurs, Krewe des
Zeus, Krewe of
If you would like to make an update to the list above please email Kathryn Shea Duncan, senior director of social media/communications, at kduncan@visitlakecharles.org.