Saturday, November 19, 2005

New Orleans in New York

Well, sort of.

The Krewe of Orpheus will show the world that the Spirit of New Orleans is alive and well this Thanksgiving.
Members of Orpheus have agreed to wear authentic Mardi Gras Krewe costumes in the legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They will ride on the Big Apple float while other costumed members in costume walk alongside the float followed by Orpheus lieutenants on horseback, leading the way for the LSU Marching Band.


Orpheus participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is such sign of hope that New Orleans needs right now. It is a sign not only to the rest of the country, but to native New Orleanians that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast WILL survive and come back stronger and better. I can't wait to see it and I'm sure I won't be the only one shedding a few tears. (Of course, those tears come really easily these days.)

Update: For all of my friends outside of New Orleans, here is a brief explanation. Orpheus is a Mardi Gras krewe. Each parade during the Mardi Gras season is actually organized by different "krewes", or social organizations. Each "krewe" has officers or lieutenants as well as its royal court that presides over that parade that year. Members of the "krewe" ride on the floats during the parade. Over the last few years, Orpheus' membership has grown substantially making it one of the largest krewes in the city.