As Carnival season approaches, northshore krewes are gearing-up for the holiday of the year. But after another year of parade preparation combined with another year of economic recession, krewes are looking at the same problem they had last year: declining membership.
The crowds are still there, but the costumed riders – and distributors of coveted throws – are fewer in number. “We lost 100 members this year and we’re down two floats,” said Tara Ingram-Hunter, vice president of Slidell’s Krewe of Selene.
“We lost quite a few members,” said Allen Little, captain of the Krewe of Perseus. “We used to have 17 floats.” This year, Perseus will have only 13 floats.
“We have 350 members currently, and that is down slightly from previous years,” said Brett Lowe, captain of the Original Krewe of Orpheus in Mandeville.
So why the declining membership? Surely not a waning interest in the Carnival tradition?
“The current economy is a direct (cause) of our membership and participation being down,” said Lowe.
“A lot of our people told us as soon as they can afford it, they’re coming back,” Little said.
Is it really that bad? Apparently. Last year, the Krewe of Perseus boasted 200 members; this year, it’s down to 150. And the 200 last year was a drop of about 20 percent the year before.
“This year we had two rummage sales and a golf tournament, plus some 50-50 raffles to raise money,” Little said. “It’s the first year we’ve had to do that.”
In 2009, Ingram-Hunter said Selene had 700 members. This year, it’s down to about 600.
Although dues for northshore krewes aren’t as onerous as for some of the mega-krewes on the south shore, the overall annual cost of participation can seem as big as Carnival itself. Riding in one of the northshore’s 19 parades can be much cheaper – or just as expensive – as New Orleans-based krewes, depending on whether it’s a full scale, multi-decker, multi-float parade or the Abita Springs Krewe of Push-Mow. But whether you’re spending $20 or $20,000, these days every penny spent on luxury or leisure seems worthy of contemplation for many.
Membership in the Krewe of Selene costs $450 a year, and this includes the ball, three membership meetings, and costumes. Not too bad, right? It’s the throws that really hit members in the purse, and Ingram-Hunter said the average Selene rider spends $600 to $800 on the coveted giveaways – or toss-aways.
The Original Krewe of Orpheus charges $350 a year, which includes the ball, several parties during the year and, of course, the ride in the parade. And the throws? “The riders choose to spend between $500 to $2,500 on throws,” Lowe said.
Krewe of Perseus members pay $350 and, as with the others, expenditures on throws are at the discretion of each rider.
Membership in a northshore krewe may compare to a monthly car note, but when you add on the cost of baubles, bangles and beads you’re talking more like a mortgage. And for some families right now, that’s a whopping luxury expense that can be easily sliced from the household budget.
There’s an upside to the cash flow called Carnival, too. A study commissioned by various krewe captains found that Mardi Gras had an economic impact of $145 million in 2009, with an indirect impact of two times that amount. That’s half a billion dollars in overall economic impact in the Greater New Orleans area. How much of that impact is felt on the northshore is open to debate or further study, but any way you slice it, it amounts to a heck of a lot of “stimulus.”
But it’s not what it once was, either. Another study of the impact of Mardi Gras in 2000 showed an impact of more than $1 billion – twice as much as last year. But something is better than nothing, and $500 million is, in layman’s terms, still a lot of money.
And it comes in a variety of ways. Tourists stay in hotels, buy gas and meals. Locals dine out and spend money on throws, ball gowns, tuxedo rentals and purchases. Even locals stay in hotels to be closer to the action or to sleep off the revelry – and reverie – of a successful ball. Then there are the costs of cleanup, ancillary healthcare, law enforcement and other emergency response obligations. The list goes on and on – and so does the ripple.
“I marvel at how lucky we are to live in Southeastern Louisiana,” said St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis. “One of our most beloved traditions, Mardi Gras, is also a great economic stimulus. From the many Mardi Gras supply houses located in the parish to our restaurants and hotels, Mardi Gras is good for businesses. It can’t get much better than that.”
But for most people, at the end of the day, the beginning of Lent is really just fun.
When the Krewe of Selene’s 25 floats parade on Feb. 12, the theme will be “Selene Goes on Vacation.” Floats with such names as “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” and “Jamaica Me Crazy” will entertain parade-goers in Slidell’s only night parade.
And fun – and funny – will abound.
“The theme this year is ‘Bowl Games,’” said Little, of the Krewe of Perseus. “We are also initiating our own throw, which is a crab. We’ve decorated them and they’ll be like the Zulu coconuts.”
Some of Perseus throws will also feature the label, “I got crabs at the Krewe of Perseus.”
The Original Krewe of Orpheus, with more than 40 total units – bands, floats and other paraders – has a theme that seems consistent with the overall economy: “Orpheus Salutes Real Jobs.” Orpheus also rolls on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
Downturns in the economy and krewe membership notwithstanding, Mardi Gras will go on. It always does. Even four years ago, a scant six months after Katrina, Mardi Gras was up and running. Carnival is almost as reliable as Louisiana’s spring rains and summertime heat – albeit less predictable than the weather.
And despite this, that, or the other “indicator,” everyone has a positive outlook for this year’s Mardi Gras, and for future Carnival celebrations.
“Overall, we feel very positive,” said Ingram-Hunter. “And next year we expect to have a full recovery. People have already told us they’ll come back next year.”
Little also said Perseus members who have taken a break have told him as soon as the krewe fits in their family budget again, they’ll rejoin the fun from atop a float – while still enjoying the parades from street-level this year. And Little said things have been much worse.
“In the ‘80s, we were down to about 40 or 50 members,” also due to economic forces, Little said. “We won’t have as long a parade this year but it will be just as nice.”
Parades can draw thousands or tens of thousands, depending on things such as … well… the weather. And, as we’ve seen in recent years, economic forces and the general zeitgeist can make a difference in participation, as well. But feeling blue is all the more reason to don purple, green and gold.
“Mardi Gras is good for the community because it lifts people spirits and gives them a way to celebrate our unique culture,” Lowe said. “Especially, in the past year, with the economy in the condition it's in, people need something to celebrate and a parade is just the medicine they need. The local businesses also do well when our parade rolls, so everybody benefits.”