In an email from the Captain of the Krewe of Choctaw this morning, it was announced that the annual River Parade may be in jeopardy...another victim in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Prior to the 2006 Mardi Gras season, the River Parade was held on one of the ferry boats that usually travels between Algiers and Canal Street on the Mississippi River. A unique event, the ferry boat would cruise up and down the river, followed by the fire boats, Coast Guard and tug boats.
Post Katrina, with no ferry boat available to use, the River Parade was moved onboard the Steamboat Natchez and Choctaw continued to hold the parade, starting from the Gretna ferry landing. This 70 year tradition of the only krewe to hold a River Parade in the New Orleans area may, sadly, be coming to an end.
For the 2008 Carnival season, there is still no ferry boat available for the River Parade. The Steamboat Natchez has almost doubled the price of renting the vessel for this event. Choctaw has been dedicated to remaining a family friendly krewe and has kept their dues low to encourage participation in the West Bank Mardi Gras celebration. This price increase by the Natchez has resulted in a budget shortfall that may mean the cancellation of this decades long tradition. The krewe, which is a non-profit organization, has insurance coverage for docking and other fees already in place, but cannot absorb this price increase that the Steamboat Natchez blames on rising fuel and labor costs.
If ANYONE knows of a local business that would be willing to help in sponsoring or co-sponsoring this traditional West Bank Mardi Gras event (scheduled to take place on January 19, 2008) please contact the Captain of the Krewe of Choctaw at (504) 364-3963 or (504) 616-3710. Help keep the West Bank Mardi Gras tradition alive!
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