MARDI GRAS MUSEUM -AWESOME

Circus theme for this krewe queen.

The mantel that we would call the train.  All beaded.

another kids on our tour.

the all female krewe.  Only gals could ask men to dance.

king and queen or duke and dutchess.  Wow

Sheriff was the king
See star

LAST YEARS GOWNS FROM  1 OF 50  KREWE. Going to th civic center for display.

The Lake Charles Mardi Gras Festival is 2nd only to New Orleans.  This festival from 12th night to Fat Tuesday ( last day before lent to have the rich food).  The captain was the chief organizer of a carnival krewe or organization. The king and queen would ususually volunteer as they have to pay for the gown and host the party.  Royalty would donate costumes to the museum for a tax receipt.

Sesame Street theme.  People in the crew would dress to the theme for the balls and parades between  Jan 6 and fat Tuesday.

Mardi Gras came to D.C. in 60s,

Part of a float.  king and queen and royalty road and threw  beads.

Typical headress building area starts with the white mesh skull in center front.  The huge headress with the breastplate maybe 6-12' high was worn during ball  grand march and were bolted to float with king/queen standing in front of so looked like wearing it. 

1962 queen costume from Washington DC.  Kennedys in top photo.

King cakes were a pastry that would be in Walmart and grocery stores from Jan 6 to Mardi Gras.  How much preservative is in them cuz they don't mold?  There's a plastic baby inside.  Whoever gets that in their piece has to host the next party.  A sign of luck??

Beads and other trinkets are thrown to the fans.  It might be other things like stuffed animals or plastic alligators.

Those krewe in costume are masked many times cuz they are making fun of royalty.  I remember when were at the first New Orleans parade in 2011, they were sarcastically making fun of the mayor, BP oil, Sarah Palin, Bush.  It might be a good idea to wear a mask.