08-05-2025
New Mardi Gras krewe makes big plans before parade route OK'd
When a new Mardi Gras krewe introduced itself last month, its founder promised a 2026 Carnival parade with camels and trend-setting new features.
Why it matters: Despite ambitious claims about their inaugural parade, city officials say the krewe hasn't yet received an official go-ahead.
The big picture: It's still possible the Mystic Kings will be able to roll as planned, but while interviews with public officials around the city indicate slim chances that will happen without any changes, the krewe is already accepting pricey membership applications.
The intrigue: The Mystic Kings have lofty plans for their first parade, planned for Jan. 5, 2026.
Festivities are to include "special new floats using top-of-the-line designs, crafted by in-house engineers" and "a fireworks spectacular" over the Mississippi River at midnight, a press release said.
The krewe also plans to parade along a lengthy, "newly approved route" that would "streamline the use of city resources needed to put on the parade," the release continued.
The Mystic Kings plan to roll from the French Market across the Quarter before lassoing through a large part of the CBD, a route its website describes as "emphatically approved by the City of New Orleans."
Yes, but: That route hasn't been approved, according to three officials and the city's OneStop permitting database, which lists a pending special event permit for the Mystic Kings.
"This Mystic Kings Krewe has not been in contact with the Office of Cultural Economy or the New Orleans Police Department," according to a spokesperson for Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "The krewe also has not submitted a parade application or requested placement on the waiting list. None of the required protocols have been initiated, reviewed or approved."
The planned route seems unlikely for approval, based on expertise from Lt. Buddy Micheu, who oversees Mardi Gras routes for the NOPD.
It "boxes in the whole French Quarter," Micheu said of the route after reviewing it when Axios New Orleans sent him a link to the krewe's website. "This would be a total lockdown of the city."
"Normally, I would assume anyone claiming they have City approval means they have a permit in hand," Julia Zuckerman, the legislative director with Councilman JP Morrell's office, said in an email.
The parade date is outside official Carnival, so City Council has no authority over it, but Zuckerman has worked with multiple krewes, like Chewbacchus and Krewe du Vieux, to shepherd previous permits through the system.
Routes need only be approved by about one or two months out to make sure other city departments, like the Public Works and Sanitation, are aligned for managing them, she said.
Cantrell signed a proclamation recognizing the organization, but, her office said, the move was "purely ceremonial and intended to acknowledge the group's cultural contributions, historical significance and mission."
"The language within the proclamation does not constitute an official endorsement, sponsorship, or authorization by the City of New Orleans for a parade or public procession on Jan. 5," the spokesperson said.
The other side: Speaking at length with Axios New Orleans last week, krewe founder Cecil Roebuck acknowledged his parade was not yet officially permitted but said "the city loves our route. They helped us redesign the route so it would be a lot easier for them, so we are full steam to go."
However, it's unclear to what extent the city provided any official input on the route's design. Roebuck said he met with a couple of NOPD officers, including Micheu and another officer in NOPD's traffic division, but Micheu told Axios he didn't recall that meeting.
Roebuck also made additional promises about Mystic Kings' grandeur, including throws to include biodegradable plush camels and parties starting as soon as June.
Roebuck did note that city curfews mean the fireworks show will be moved up to 10pm.
He added that some members of Bacchus, Endymion and Rex helped fund the parade's start, but he declined to share their names out of a fear that others would ask them for money.
The krewe is already accepting membership applications through its website. Roebuck said 35 people have joined, and he's aiming for 100 for the krewe's inaugural year.
The cost for riding members is $2,000, and it includes additional perks and access to other events.
That's double the cost of membership in Rex, one of its members told Axios New Orleans.
Roebuck did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to whether members might receive a refund if the krewe does not receive approval for its advertised route.
