NEW ORLEANS — Saturday’s chilly weather did not stop people from gathering downtown. The goal– fit a last night of partying in before a coming arctic blast plunges low temperatures below freezing on both sides of the lake. The main event was the debut of a unique new krewe.
Krewe Mosaique was started by captains from 10 different marching krewes, which lined up in “tiles” in front of Armstrong Park and marched 12 blocks into the French Quarter.
“You put all these beautiful little pieces together of all these different artists,” said co-founder Terese Aiello. “We really want to put the focus on the krewes themselves, the work they put into the costumes, the throws, the floats.” People lined up across Rampart Street to watch them.
Krewe members had to bundle up, but the 50-ish degree weather was bearable for most. “I was a little concerned about it, then I remembered, ‘oh yeah, I’m gonna be dancing for two hours so it’s not gonna be a problem,” said Dave Burdick, Captain of the Krewe of Mad Hatters.
People who came to support the parade were thankful it happened before the coming arctic blast. Paige Vance, Captain of the Krewe of Bosom Buddies and Breast Friends, said she was “glad it’s today, not three days from now when it’s going to be 25 degrees.”
People still dressed warmly under their Carnival costumes. “I have like six layers on underneath, lots of flannel and wool, gloves,” said Rachel Witt, who came to see the parade and planned to stay in the Quarter after.
She and others expressed apprehension about the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade next Saturday, which is supposed to be much colder. It rolls at 7 p.m.
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