Satirical to silly, US celebrates Mardi Gras

Associated Press, March 1, 2019; Crystal Q., Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

From satirical to silly, walking clubs spice up Mardi Gras

For Lent this year I'm giving up Mardi Gras.

NEW ORLEANS Mississippi - A floppy-eared pooch wearing a red crustacean costume rides in a wagon decorated like a shrimp boat, followed by another "boat" wagon occupied by a pug in a sailor hat.

Behind them, on a leash, strolls a white Maltese in a Wonder Woman costume alongside canines in fluffy purple, green, and gold tutus.

Made from video, a woman dressed as a mermaid pulls a wagon containing an inflatable seashell full of beads in the Krewe of Cork parade in New Orleans.

New Orleans now boasts some 50 walking Carnival clubs that parade throughout the Mardi Gras season. That's the most ever in the city's long Carnival history, making Mardi Gras more colorful and diverse than ever before.

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The dog-centered Krewe of Barkus is one of 50 walking Carnival clubs in New Orleans that parade throughout the Mardi Gras season, ranging from satirical and political to the cute and risqué.

It's the most walking clubs in the city's long Carnival history, making the weekslong celebration more colorful and diverse than ever, says Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy, who publishes an annual guide with historical facts about Carnival, as well as parade schedules and route maps.

"It's just amazing how many different ways there are to express yourself at Mardi Gras," Hardy said. And the walking clubs have added "a new level of inclusion and diversity and participation that we have not seen before."

Among the favorite walking parades drawing thousands of spectators yearly are the Star Wars-themed Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, the satirical and sometimes downright raunchy adult-themed Krewe du Vieux, and Barkus. More