The 2008 Carrollton Weekend is now just a memory. The Ball and Supper Dance was a great sucess and enjoyed by all who attended. The Court with the Ladies in Waiting, the Maids in their beautiful costumes, The Dukes intheir traditional costumes were a sight to behold. Our Queen, as beautiful as ever, reigned in her royal splendor. Our King was regal and ever smiling, greeting his subjects. In short the entire Tableau was presented with precision.

Parade Day, Breakfast at the House of Blues was as good as always, The second line from breakfast to then hotel was ever lively with everyone we passed getting their fill of the beads that were thrown. The Parade, what can we say, the weather was beautiful with sunshine and mild temperatures. The crowd that came to see us was large and delighted as each float passed them by. The bands playing music were a delight to the crowd. All of us were saddened when the parade ended knowing that we need to wait until next year to do it all again.

The Krewe would like to thank all who participated in making this day a tremendous success. Namely the krewe riders, the tractor drivers, the bands, and most of all the people who were on the street to see us, without you the parade is just a mundane Sunday drive down St Charles Ave.

We look forward to seeing you in 2009...

Krewe of Carrollton Mask Pin.

Green Mask, Purple KofC, Gold Outline

April 1, 2008

   The next meeting of the Krewe of Carrollton will be held on Tuesday, April 8^th at the Lions Club of Metairie (1627 Metairie Road) at 7:00pm. Lee Cotaya and his crew will show that they can cook burgers as well as fry turkeys. Soft drinks and beer will also be available. Congratulations to the newly elected Board of Directors that were elected at last month’s meeting. Congratulations to our new Board members - Tom Quintini and Jeff Rizzo.Hopefully, everyone who attended King Ralph’s party enjoyed the festivities. It was certainly a great night-and congratulations to King Ralph on his new Bride, Cindy. CRUISE….CRUISE….CRUISE….CRUISE….CRUISE…..CRUISE That’s right the Krewe of Carrollton is going cruising. Please look at the enclosed sheet about the upcoming cruise that departs New Orleans on July 21. Any questions please contact our cruise director Sasha. Also, keep in mind that this is a fund raiser for the Krewe and guests are certainly welcome.  Plans for the Coronation are still being finalized but the date is set: Saturday, October 4. The music will be provided by Burgundy. At least put that date on your calendar.  We still have one opening for Maid for this year’s court. Important notes from last month’s meeting:1. Junior member dues may be paid for the son of a member as long as the junior member is under the age of 21 prior to the annual meeting of that year. Therefore, anyone older than 21 prior to the annual meeting is considered as a full member.2. The dues no longer entitles a member to a free ticket to the Coronation Ball. This was done in order to not raise our annual dues.Send in a payment on your dues today. Float lieutenants are asked to start finalizing their float rosters. Please let us know of any openings on your floats as we have people waiting to fill these positions. Please make every effort to attend the meeting. If you give the Krewe a chance, it can be a lot more than a ride on a float. Yes, we have the CARROLLTON WEEKEND, but I would rather think of it as the CARROLLTON YEAR. There are activities for you and your wife all year long. Looking forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday.   

2008-2009 Meetings

• Krewe Meeting – Tuesday, April 8, 2008
• Krewe Meeting – Tuesday, May 13, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, June 10, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, July 8, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, August 12, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, October 14, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, November 11, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, December 9, 2008
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, January 13, 2009
• Pre-Parade Meeting - Monday, February 9, 2009

2008- 2009 Events

• Coronation Dance - TBA
• Royal Walkabout - TBA
• Krewe Open House - Sunday, January 25, 2009 (10 PM - 3 PM)
• Tableau Ball & Supper Dance - Friday, February 13, 2009 (8 PM–2 AM)
• Float Loading - Saturday, February 14, 2009 (10 AM - 3 PM)
• Breakfast - Sunday, February 15, 2009 (7 AM)
• Parade - Sunday, February 15, 2009 (12 Noon)
• After Parade Party - Sunday, February 15, 2009 (3 PM til 6 PM)

2007-2008 Meetings

• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, June 12, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, July 10, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, August 14, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, September 11, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, October 9, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, November 13, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, December 11, 2007
• Krewe Meeting - Tuesday, January 8, 2008
• Pre-Parade Meeting - Monday, January 21, 2008

2007- 2008 Events

• Coronation Dance - Saturday, October 27, 2007
• Royal Walkabout - Saturday January 12, 2008
• Krewe Open House - January 13, 2008 (tentative date)
• Tableau Ball & Supper Dance - Friday, January 25, 2008
• Float Loading - Saturday, January 26, 2008 (10 AM - 3 PM)
• Breakfast - Sunday, January 27, 2008 (7 AM)
• Parade - Sunday, January 27, 2008 (12 Noon)
• After Parade Party - Sunday, January 27, 2008 (3 PM til 6 PM)

February 24, 2008

Wow, what a year we just completed. But, yes it is time to put that behind us and begin plans for the 85^th anniversary of the Krewe of Carrollton. The annual meeting of the Krewe will take place on Tuesday, March 11 at the Lions Club of  Metairie (1627 Metairie Road) at 7:30p.m. We call this the annual meeting only because it is the night that the members elect a new Board of Directors to lead the Club for the next year. As usual there will be beer and soft drinks available. Our guest Chef will be preparing tube steaks and rolls, possibly with a Southwest touch (like maybe a little chili). I’ll try to get Lenny to spring for diced onions and cheese.

The Board of Directors consists of 20 members plus the Captain who are elected for one year terms. Everyone on the Board is eligible to run for another term if they so desire (Term limits has not caught up with us yet). To be eligible, a member must be in good financial standing and have been a member of the Krewe for five consecutive years. Anyone interested in serving on the Board should contact the Captain immediately (504-259-9774). Nominations will be submitted to the nominating committee or may be accepted from the floor. If you feel you have the TIME and DESIRE to get involved please make the phone call.

A quick thank you and congratulations to King Ralph Romaguera and his Queen, Katherine DiLeo. The two of you were grand and did a super job representing the Krewe of Carrollton on Carrollton Sunday. Of course the entire Court did a tremendous job, as I think this was one of our smoothest and prettiest Balls. Also, a special thanks to all who also participated in our repeat Ball at the UNO Arena. For those who didn’t see the Gambit newspaper our parade received our highest rating ever-4 crowns. I’m not sure if it was the Captain or the smile on King Ralph that got us that high a rating. Actually, it was everything-costumes, floats, theme, bands and the fact that our members respect the rules and traditions of Mardi Gras and wear their masks. For that, I say thank you to each and everyone of you.

For those who did not hear – our Jules Cambre Man of the Year for 2008 was Erik Youngblood. Erik was involved in many activities during the year – he cooked for many of our meetings, handled the food and beverages for the Open House, rebuilt and reclothed the Officers float (by the way the horses and Cascade Stables sent over a letter of thanks for that new float), handled the scenery for the Ball, and assisted with work around the Den – just to mention some of the things he did during the Year. On behalf of the entire Krewe I congratulate Erik on his award.

BIG EVENT: Take note of the enclosed brochure as the Krewe of Carrollton is going CRUISING. It is sure to be a great time if we can get people to jump on board. We have 50 cabins reserved but need to start making reservations now before they start releasing our rooms. Sounds like a great getaway to me. We will be leaving from New Orleans on July 21st and returning to New Orleans on July 26th. I will personally guarantee a cruise like no other with the members of this Krewe. This cruise is available to guests as well as members. It is an opportunity for the Krewe to earn a few dollars and have a great time doing it. Give it serious consideration and get your passports in order.

A special thanks to one of our out of town members who came in to ride with us again this year and left behind an extra financial token to help defray some of our expenses-primarily our Den expansion. He will go nameless, but I wanted him to know that it was not only above and beyond, but that it was certainly appreciated. THANKS AGAIN

Another bit of good news – Gene Brien is doing fine after suffering a heart attack the morning of the parade upon arriving at the Hilton. We certainly missed you that day but look forward to many rides in the future.

Dues – please send in a payment on your dues.  Bring it to the meeting, mail it to the P. O. Box , or go to www.kreweofcarrollton.com and pay it online in the store section after logging in.

Seriously, we had a good time all year and we put on a good show. Please know that these things don’t just happen but it is the work of many dedicated members who make everything fall into place. We have a very dedicated Board of Directors and a hard working and hard playing group of Officers. Without their support and efforts the Krewe of Carrollton would not be looking to celebrate its 85^th anniversary. Join us at the meeting on the 11^th of March (and bring a dues payment with you.)

  2008-2009 Dates to Remember

Tuesday, March 11, Annual Meeting, Metairie Lions Club

July 21-26, Carrollton Cruise

February 13-15, 2009 – Carrollton Weekend

Dates to remember:

• King's Party - Saturday, March 28, 2008
• Seafood Party - Saturday, April 19, 2008
• Drawing Party - Saturday, September 20, 2008
• Coronation Dance - Saturday, October 4, 2008
• Christmas Party - Saturday, December 6, 2008
• King's Dinner - Thursday, January 22, 2009
• Royal Walkabout - Saturday, January 24, 2009
• Open House - Sunday, January 25, 2009
• Carrollton Weekend - February 13, 14, 15, 2009

The Krewe of Carrollton has a long and storied history. Formed by a group of Oak Street businessmen in 1924, the Krewe's modest beginnings over 80 years ago have been the foundation of a Carnival organization both widely known as a significant participant in the Carnival season, and was itself instrumental in fostering and assisting new organizations which adopted many of the Carrollton practices.

In 1924, a group calling itself "The Seventh District Carnival Club," presented its first parade on Mardi Gras day of that year with J.W. Fordyce as its King.

Parading down Oak Street and around the Carrollton Avenue area of New Orleans, this club would continue to grow and eventually, in 1947, become known as the "Krewe of Carrollton".

Carrolton is the Fourth oldest Carnival parading organization, behind (in order) Rex, Proteus, and Zulu. Even in its humble beginnings, Carrollton itself as an organization with bold and talented leadership. Carrollton's original floats were built on the frames of garbage wagons bought from the City of New Orleans when the city started using motorized trucks.

The Krewe made a lasting place in history for itself when in 1933, with rain forcing the cancellation of almost all parades in New Orleans, including Rex; Carrollton was the only daytime parade of that Mardi Gras season.

The Krewe fell on hard times in the late 1930's and coupled with the start of WW II, where Mardi Gras was cancelled in it's entirety, the Krewe almost disbanded. However after the war, in 1947, the surviving members reunited and returned to its place in the Mardi Gras lineup. In 1948, Carrollton switched to parading on the First Sunday of the Mardi Gras Season. Carrollton has been famous over the years for many traditions and practices started by the Krewe.

The original parade route, starting from its Den on Oak Street remained for many years. In 1974, the starting point was changed to Canal Street in the Mid City area of New Orleans, to avoid having the floats going over an over pass. The route changed again in 1977 to the basic Canal Street route. In 1995 the parade was allowed to once again start from its den and travel the Uptown route. Since that time the route used has been the traditional Uptown Route.

Carrollton held onto many longtime traditions and practices, one of which was pulling a flatbed truck in its parade of floats, full of stuffed animals, which they dropped off for the children at Charity Hospital. That tradition stopped only after the parade route was changed again in 1977 and no longer passed in front of Charity Hospital.

In a tragic accident during the 1970 parade, an extremely high gust of wind toppled a float on top of the Jefferson Davis Parkway overpass, causing a krewe member to fall from the float and off that overpass and receive injuries from which he died. Coupled With that and other injuries due to that accident, all float riders in all parades are now required to wear safety belts.

Many other continuing Mardi Gras traditions and innovations began with Carrollton. One such milestone in its rich history was when Carrollton along with a few other Krewes bought and started using farm tractors to pull the floats instead of mules. In 1950, Carrollton was the first parade to ever be pulled by tractors. These 50 plus year old tractors are still in use today.

In order to make sure that our Royalty has a memento to remember their special year as reigning King and Queen, Carrollton started yet another tradition that remains today. The Krewe presents each King, Queen and Captain with a porcelain doll that is dressed in an exact miniature replica of their costume for that year. This tradition was started many years ago and continues today. The public can view one of the original sets of these dolls as it is on permanent loan to the City of Kenner's Rivertown Mardi Gras Museum as one of their exhibits.

This Krewe has been instrumental in helping other parading organizations get off the ground. In 1957, the krewe assisted another notable parade, the Krewe of Zeus get started. Zeus was one of the first suburban parading groups, and recently celebrated its own 50th Anniversary.

Another notable parade had its beginning with the help of the Krewe of Carrollton. In 1967, the Captain of the Krewe of Carrolton helped a fledgling Krewe get started, the Krewe of Endymion. Carrollton's Captain assisted the Endymion Captain in many aspects, from writing the krewe's charter to the format of its printed Ball Program. Carrollton also rented its fleet of floats to Endymion for its inaugural parade. Endymion has gone on to be one of New Orleans "Super Krewes".

Carrollton's membership has expanded like the Krewe and now boasts of membership from across the country ranging from Boston to California.

Some of Carrolton's newest membership was recently signed up while serving their country in Iraq with the Louisiana National Guard.

Even more recently, after hurricane Katrina devastated many of the Carnival organizations, the leadership of Carrollton was instrumental in not only producing one of the few first class parades "post Katrina" but also in assisting others to parade. Additionally, several key Carrollton members from outside of Louisiana lead a financial assistance drive to help needy members from New Orleans hurt badly by the storm.

Lead by its 4th Captain since 1947, the Krewe of Carrollton parades today on the second Sunday before Mardi Gras Day. Its membership is over 350 strong, owning and parading its own floats and Den. Although the route has changed over the years from a neighbor hood event in the Carrollton section of town, to the Mid City section of town, to its current traditional Uptown New Orleans route along St Charles Ave to Canal Street, the Krewe has maintained its identity and its image of being a Family Parade. The weekend that the parade rolls has become known as "Carrollton Weekend".

We would like to cordially invite everyone to come and join us, and view our parade as we celebrate Mardi Gras, -- "Carrollton Style".