Rex: Inside a Mardi Gras Krewepage 1 / 5
Exactly what is a Mardi Gras krewe? A krewe, or club, is a term that was coined by the group of young men who founded the Mistick Krewe of Comus, the club that produced the first documented nighttime parade for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Years ago, membership was both secret and highly exclusive. Krewes produced a parade as well as a masked ball. Today, membership in a krewe is open to the public and each krewe typically performs a community service in addition serving as a social club that mounts a parade for Mardi Gras. Many krewes still host elaborate balls as part of their Mardi Gras tradition but others host a big concert or party with significantly less pageantry. From the 1800's today, the number of krewes who participate in the annual Mardi Gras parade has grown to over 70.