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|  | The Krewe |
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| | Krewe Events |
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| | Membership |
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| | Mardi Gras |
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Krewe Events - like no other... |
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PegaBash: |
PegaBash is held in the fall and is the first of many parties where the Royal Court
is presented. As many as eight Maids will serve in the Royal Court. These ladies
are presented, along with their Majesty's in Royal Costumes with much tableau and
pageantry. This pageantry culminates at the "Pegasus Celebration" Mardi Gras Ball.
This is a formal affair and dinner and dancing follow the presentation of the Royal
Court in all their Splendor.
The highlight of the evening is when our Queen chooses her King. All Mardi Gras
Krewes have Kings and Queens however the way they are selected differs. The Pegasus
tradition is that any member in good standing is eligible for King. Should he, or
in many cases his wife, children or friends without telling him, decide to put his
name up for King it is kept a secret until the night of PegaBash. The only people
outside of those the potential King informs directly that know he is up for the
honor is our Captain and his wife.
The manner in which Pegasus chooses a King is as follows: The Captain assigns names
to numbers, items, etc. and puts the numbers in a hat, bin, etc. for our Queen to
draw. The last name chosen becomes her King. Once chosen the King is given a temporary
scepter to use to greet the crowd. The court designate then joins him and his Queen
to promenade for one last time this evening. Please note, that although chosen and
presented at PegaBash the court does not begin its reign until the crowning ceremony
at "Celebration".
Following the promenade and pictures with the reigning court breakfast or a buffet
style meal is served followed by dancing.
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"Celebration", the grandest of the parties: |
Its a party like no other. It is held in one of the downtown hotels and is an event
to behold. The entire event is STRICTLY FORMAL. Ladies wear floor length formals
and men tuxes. Our court is presented in full tableau. Following the tableau there
is dinner and dancing. The evening goes something like this....
The entire presetation is scripted and run by our General Chairman. At his side
are two Stage Managers and several Commiteemen who are used for escourts, presentations
to guests and gophers.
First to enter is the Color Guard for the presentation of the Colors followed by
our Past Court. Then, a few of the more energetic Krewe members weave through the
crowd beads in hand and give our guests just a taste of things to come at the parade.
Next while some uplifting music plays, from the ceiling, by motorcycle escort, and/or
with smoke and flash pods blasting away The Captain and his Officers enter. Once
things settle down a bit there is much fanfare and tableau as the Royal Court is
presented in full costume for the first time. Our lovely Ladies in Waiting and beautiful
Maids make their entrance first. Once they are on stage the Captain knights the
King and Queen in a blackout with only spot lights, smoke and mirrors to illuminate
their beauty. After a promanade their majesties then take their seats on the thrown
while their special guests are called up to greet them and to receive a special
gift. Then the entire court participates in a grand march around the entire ball
room to celebrate the reign of their royal majesties. The captain and his officers
make one last appearance to end the tableau and start the party.
Immediately following the Tableau the Court remains on stage for 20 minutes for
pictures and to visit with their guests while still in costume. For some people
this is the first time they have ever seen, up close, the beauty of the costumes
which our Royal Court wear with such majesty and grace.
While the Court changes into their formals and tuxes a band plays for the entertainment
of the guests. Upon the return of their Regal Majesties a four course dinner is
served with dinner music and dancing immediately follows. Local entertainers are
the featured musical guests for the remainder of the evening during which everyone
seems to have trouble staying off of the dance floor. This is when the party really
gets going. The Celebration lasts until 2-3 a.m. in the ballroom. However, it is
not uncommon for Members to host after hours parties in their suites following Celebration
or venture out to the French Quarter which is just a few blocks away. |
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The Parade: |
Lead in: if you're up to it after "Celebration" many of the members will join
for lunch or brunch to get the day off on a good note.
Pegasus travels a modified path of what locals call the traditional uptown route.
Starting from a "load up" point members board the floats for the ride to the formation
area on Napoleon Ave. The floats arrive on Napoleon approximately 1-2 hours before
the parade actually starts. This gives us time to setup our beads visit with each
other and of course toast to a wonderful ride with our Captain, Court and Grand
Marshall.
Following the toast members are given instructed to "load up" signaling them that
the launch of this years parade is close at hand. As members scurry to their assigned
floats Parade Marshals along with New Orleans finest ensure that the bands, marching
units, convertibles, mini-floats, etc. are filtered into the parade as the floats
pull out. It is an amazing site to watch. Over 100 elements all coming together
for a 4 hour ride (experience) through the closed streets of New Orleans.
As we travel up historic St. Charles Ave. toward Lee Circle we are greeted by hundreds,
thousands of cheers of throw me something mister and people doing almost anything
to get our attention. Some are on ladders, others hold signs or wear insignia clothing,
while others, well let's say get in the spirit and find a way to be noticed. After
leaving Lee Circle we continue our route up St. Charles until the Captain, King
and Queen reach Gallier Hall, the old City Hall where the previous year's court
and city officials await them for a toast to their reign. After this brief stop
the parade resumes toward Canal St. then once completing the u-turn on Canal St.,
where members for the first time can see more than the marching units immediately
in front of them, we turn on to Convention Center Blvd. and the disbanding area.
All told Parade day lasts from about 12-1:00 when the members meet to put their
throws on the floats, share a sandwich and a drink until 10-11:00 when we get off
our floats in the disbanding area. Now most would consider this a full day, well
not our members. The party just keeps going, this time to a nearby bar or the French
Quarter.
While originally formed as a male only organization women now find themselves part
of our wonderful Krewe. We have all male, all female and mixed or couples floats
and everyone is welcome. But mere words really can not do the parade experience
justice. Even if you have seen a hundred parades riding is a completely new experience
and we encourage everyone to try it at least once. |
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