There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Mardi Gras 2021. The Publisher of the Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy says many of the city’s COVID-19 restrictions on parades and Mardi Gras Balls could have krewes throwing in the towel on Mardi Gras 2021.
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“We learned Friday that if you going to have a Carnival Ball, first of all, you need a city permit and that is unusual these are private events,” Hardy told WWL First News. “And at these events you have to contact tracing, no liquor after 11 o’ clock, no brunches, no dancing, well then what do you have? What will a Carnival Ball look like without those elements?”
He says many of the krewe captains feel the restrictions are 'deal breakers' and cannot parade under those restrictions and could announce cancelations very soon.
“There is nobody saying, ‘we don’t care about health, we just want to party’…that is not it at all,” Hardy explained. “They want to figure out a way to do it safely but with those restrictions it is darn near impossible.”
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Here is a breakdown of what Hardy says krewes and revelers can expect for Mardi Gras 2021. You can read more information at Arthur Hardy's mardigrasguide.com
Traditional Balls
Last Friday’s announcement from the Mayor’s office, which detailed further restrictions on indoor gatherings, will almost certainly cause most if not all of the remaining traditional balls to cancel. Krewes are required to apply for a permit with the city to stage their private events at which they must agree to do contact tracing, allow no dancing, no buffets, and no alcohol after 11 PM. These same regulations will be in place for events such as the Endymion Extravaganza, the Bacchus Rendezvous, and the Orpheuscapade.
METAIRIE
Expect an announcement from Jefferson Parish soon that parades will roll as long as the spread of COVID is under a certain percentage. The Parish Council will formalize all plans on December 9. Unofficial reports indicate minimum requirements as to the number of floats, bands, and riding members will be relaxed. We may see two or three parades combine. Family Gras will run the first Friday and Saturday but not Sunday because of the SuperBowl. Construction on Severn will likely mean all parades will start on Bonnabel and end at Clearview.
SLIDELL
All parades in Slidell will roll on the first weekend, with Selene on Friday, Poseidon followed by Titans on Saturday, and Dionysus on Sunday. Perseus and Slidellians have already cancelled. The proposed new route through Olde Towne will probably not happen in 2021.
COVINGTON
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Convington’s annual Fat Tuesday Lions Club parade and Covington’s Carnival Celebration will move to Sunday because St. Tammany Parish schools do not have a holiday on Mardi Gras.