Arthur Hardy
WWL Radio/ Mardi Gras Historian
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began to take root in the United States, there has been much speculation as to the fate of next year’s Carnival season. But truthfully, the only certainty is that it doesn’t matter what the general public or the media thinks this far out. There are simply too many unanswered questions. Will there be a spike in deaths as states open up, causing a return to restrictions? Will we see a second wave that coincides with the fall’s annual “flu season”? Will we have a vaccine anytime soon?
We don’t even know if conditions will be safe enough for college and professional sports to return this summer. Or when schools will open. On the international front, there is serious talk about canceling the already postponed Tokyo Olympics now scheduled for July 2021.
Many have focused on the importance the Carnival celebration is to our economy, to our worldwide image, and even to the city’s heart and soul. People fondly remember that, just six months after Hurricane Katrina, we staged a limited version of a parade season. We did it for ourselves and to show the world that the city was alive again. But Katrina only affected our region; the virus has hit the entire globe. There is no comparison in the scale of the two tragedies, and therefore can be no comparison to the projected recovery.
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Of course, the very nature of Mardi Gras lends itself to community and celebration, things we crave now more than ever. And it is certain that some krewes will be financially able to stage full parades. None of that matters, however, if health concerns make it unsafe to gather on floats, in the streets, at Carnival balls, and at post-parade galas. Krewe members all recognize that the safety of people takes priority over parades and parties. But the story doesn’t end there. Even if health concerns are not in play, what if the city decides it cannot afford to underwrite the costs of the event? The stage has already been set with a projected $170 million budget deficit announced in early May.
Traditionally Mardi Gras generates income for the city, but probably less so in 2021. What will be the state of the hotel and hospitality industry? Is it realistic to expect leisure travel to be booming in early 2021, especially trips to Mardi Gras, which was identified as a major spreader of the virus? Plus, last week Mayor LaToya Cantrell cautioned that Mardi Gras 2021 could be canceled.
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Since we simply cannot count on tourist dollars to offset the city’s expenses, could the businesses that profit most from Mardi Gras step up and foot the bill for services associated with Carnival such as police overtime, sanitation services, EMS, fire, etc.? Or, assuming other areas outside of Orleans Parish are more fully operational, will some parades bolt to Metairie, Kenner, St. Tammany, or St. Bernard as they did in 1979 when the police strike canceled parades in Orleans Parish?
As for now, many krewe members are willing and able to pay their 2021 dues for a ride that might not happen. Others are taking a wait-and-see position. But deadlines loom, and several captains have expressed the feeling that they are flying blind at this time. What is the latest date by which throws (most from China) must be ordered? What about float construction for next year? Creation of costumes? Decisions on celebrity guests and entertainment?
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While the Carnival season officially starts on Jan. 6, Mardi Gras balls start before Christmas. With the mayor canceling all major events through the end of the year, when can krewes confidently sign contracts with vendors for services for their 2021 activities?
Time is still on the side of taking a reasoned approach to making plans for next year. However, there will come a point of no return for a decision on the fate of Mardi Gras 2021. Before it does, why not map all the contingencies for making Mardi Gras happen, assuming it can be done safely? A decision this important should involve all of the stakeholders and should be a collaborative one made by the city, krewe captains, tourism officials and the business community.
Arthur Hardy is publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide.
