2006 Krewe du Vieux Parade Photos

"Buy Us Back Chirac!" How funny is the mime?

Flickr photostream of Krewe du Vieux 2006 photos are here.

The plan was to watch the Krewe du Vieux parade in front of Jackson Square on the wide part of Decatur Street, but instead we wound up downriver near Molly's on a narrow section of Decatur. Despite the cold temperature aided by the bone-chilling wind tunnel effect between the French Quarter buildings, the turnout seemed to rival a pre-KTMB KdV--and appeared to be mostly local (at least where I was) although some carpetbaggers, et. al* (no offense) also populated the route. Including about ten brass bands, many of the themes, costumes, and throws were typically crude and outrageous in this year's "C'est Levee" Parade, but all were witty and funny naturally focusing on KTMB and its ongoing and ever-accumulating consequences. The satirical nature of KdV has always provided the opportunity for New Orleans to laugh at itself for nearly twenty years--and it felt good to laugh over the very things causing such grief and sadness over the past five months. Having that laugh while standing within an intact Vieux Carre surrounded by other New Orleanians and Louisianians you know--and even more so of others you don't know--to me seemed to provide some hope New Orleans can overcome the current adversities. Seeing that first float was a bit emotional as back in September it seemed possible none of this would occur in 2006 or possibly ever again. I expect the emotional response this upcoming Saturday afternoon when the full-scale krewes begin parading on St. Charles Avenue to probably be even more intense and farther reaching as many more people will be along the Uptown route . . .

UPDATE: The WaPo ran a story yesterday on the KdV Parade. Bravo to them as they continue to keep pumping out the New Orleans stories.

*- to be clarified in upcoming post.