Tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday, there are three Mardi Gras "pre-season" parades downtown: Krewe Boheme, Krewe du Vieux, and Krewedelusion. These less-formal but no less-elaborate parades have become anticipated staples of the Carnival season, but some don't see them being treated that way.
Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says unlike the parades that start next week, these "pre-season" parades often don't find out until just a few days in advance what time and where they will roll.
Krewe Boheme had five day’s notice, and Krewedelusion had six days.
"The Krewedelusion which for, I think, eight years, maybe longer, has followed the Krewe du Vieux on Saturday night," said Hardy, but this year, they will roll Sunday.
If it is a matter of public safety, Hardy says that would not make sense:
"It would seem like that would be easier from a police standpoint to keep the police out for two parades than to move one to Sunday night and you have to bring them out again," Hardy told WWL's Newell Normand.
Whatever the reason, Hardy says no one from the city has explained why: "No one's been able to give me or the krewe and explanation."
Hardy said none of the parading organizations, whether it's the Marigny-French Quarter parades or the super-krewes, is obligated to put on a parade. But without the parades, Mardi Gras would not get nearly the same amount of public attention and would not draw as many visitors to New Orleans.
Sad Hardy, "the city can say, 'uh-uh, nobody's going to parade this year,' but the city can't say, 'there will be 30 parades. Now you guys go spend your money and give this gift to the city.' You can't make this happen."
Hardy says these krewes could decide if it is too much hassle to not parade and just hold private parties for their members, and it would be a shame to lose them because of inconsistent treatment.