162 MARDI GRAS GUIDE 2018

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The Egyptian patron of wisdom and the inventor of science, art, and letters, Thoth is traditionally depicted with the body of a man and the head of an ibis. Thoth’s mythological counterparts were the Greek Hermes and the Roman Mercury. The uptown krewe was organized in 1947 and presented its first ball and five-float parade with 50 members the next year. The men of Thoth have become known as the “krewe of the shut-ins” because they design their unique neighborhood parade route to pass in front of 14 institutions that care for persons with disabilities and illnesses. www.thothkrewe.com

thoth

bacchus

The most innovative and imitated krewe founded during the 20th century, Bac-chus, named for the Roman god of wine, was the product of a 1968 meeting of 12 businessmen who had gathered to explore new directions for Carnival clubs in New Orleans. The Bacchus organization built the largest floats ever assembled, transformed the tableau ball into a mas-sive supper dance with Las Vegas-style entertainment, and was the first krewe to popularize the use of national celebrities as monarchs—among them Bob Hope, Nicholas Cage, Will Ferrell and Andy Garcia. www.kreweofbacchus.org

The 71st annual parade of the Krewe of Thoth is entitled THAT’S THE WAY WE ROLL. More than 1,700 men will ride 38 floats with titles such as Rolling Cuban

Cigars, Sushi Rolls, Roll Up Your Sleeves, and a tandem float entitled Rolls of Wrapping Paper. A Tricentennial float will feature a life size Andrew Jackson prop. Joe Lacefield reigns as king and Erin Bowen is Thoth’s queen. Grand Marshal Luther Kent will ride with the officers on their special float. Theme related throws include Thoth toilet paper and plush “Thothie Rolls.” Other throws include orange Fedora hats, krewe crest pillows, fidget spinners, and mini-roulette wheels. Ladies scarves, fuzzy dice, poker chips, and doubloons in eight colors will also be thrown. Thoth’s dice-shaped doubloons and special mini-doubloons will be instant collectibles. Thoth stages its ball on January 27, 2018, at the Pontchartrain Center.

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©2018 Arthur Hardy Enterprises, Inc.

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Bacchus L and 30 riding lieutenants lead the club’s 1,600 male riders in the krewe’s colorful 32-float procession entitled BACCHUS CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN

ANNIVERSARY. Floats include Golden Gloves, Golden Records, and Bacchus’s Golden Vineyard. Two new walking mascots will debut, along with new super floats Bacchaneer, a four-section signature float, and Bacchakong, featuring three members of the Kong Fam-ily. Several legendary floats return: the 120-foot Bacchatality float, Bacchasaurus, Bacchaga-tor, Bacchawhoppa, Baccha-Amore. Among Bacchus’s many logo items are lighted yo-yos, rings and bracelets, golden boxing gloves, eye patches, lighted pirate hooks, plush “Pip” parrots, and 10 different doubloons. The 100-plus unit parade ends inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center where the Bacchus Rendezvous is staged.