While Jefferson Parish makes moves to bring Tardi Gras to Metairie this September, the future of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is still murky.
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A major contributor to that uncertainty is the NOPD manpower shortage. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says Carnival krewes could be on the hook to pay for officers from other districts.
“There has been conversation about what if the mayor says look y’all can have Mardi Gras but we can’t pay for it, we don’t have the money, we don’t have the police, then the krewes will have to foot the bill,” Hardy said. “And of course the krewes are not in a position to do that. Now, nobody has said that is going to happen. But, people have talked about, what if.”
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Meanwhile, Jefferson Parish officials are working to bring Tardi Gras to life. Hardy says every krewe who paraded in Metairie in 2020, got an invite to add a float to the Tardi Gras parade, which could roll in September.
“There will be floats, there will be throws, there will be bands, some marching groups, there will be a full lineup,” said Hardy.
He adds that Jefferson Parish is also working to expand the number of krewes parading for next years’ Mardi Gras.
“The parish gave two new parade permits, one for the first Friday, and there is another krewe called the ‘Culinary Queens of New Orleans’, that hopes to parade on the westbank,” Hardy explained. “They do not have a permit yet but hope to get one.”