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Ratings Key:
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Greetings, royal subjects. I, Rex Duke
- the omnipresent surveyor of all that is Mardi Gras - have once again enjoyed the pomp and the
pageantry (and a little bit of the déclassé) of this splendid season.
As we moved into the new millennium, I was happy to
see my subjects sallying forth with parades showing touches of the old as well as the new, and I am now ready to decree who best
captured the true (and traditional) Carnival spirit. I have thus set quill to scroll, and I will now bestow upon you the fruits of my
labours.
Note that, in addition to the usual categories of
competition, I have added two more this year: "Best New Parade" (a tribute to the fine inaugural efforts of several krewes) and "Best
Suburban Parade" (it's time to honor the hustings as well). As always, dear readers, I have given my all, so lap freely from my cup
of Carnival criticism.
Herewith, as we head humbly into the Lenten season,
is one last look back (with raised royal eyebrow) at the season that was.
2001 Parade Season
Highlights:
Best Overall Parade
Le
Krewe d'Etat
Best Night Parade
Le
Krewe d'Etat
Favorite Themes
d'Etat,
"d'Etat.com"
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Le Krewe d'Etat
Krewe d'Etat fabulously walks that fine line between parody and
reverence of Mardi Gras tradition. This year's theme, "d'Etat.com,"
was so perfectly executed in its satirical quality, words fail the
Duke. Float highlights included Razzputin.commie, WJr.com (with
Dubya's hands illustrating the 5-4 Supreme Court decision that got
him into the White House), and local digs at Edwin Edwards and Cleo
Fields. The real hoot was the Alfred E. Neuman "What Me Worry?" look
on Bill Clinton's face for the delete.com float. Innovative and
plentiful throws such as flashing-eye skull beads and the talking
beanie bears ("Hail to the Dictator!") are why d'Etat edges out Rex
for Best Parade. This krewe gives any superkrewe a run for its
money, enforcing the notion that size doesn’t always matter.
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