Krewe of Bacchus

Bacchus is definitely on my «don’t miss» list of parades every year.
Bacchus is a huge parade that always has large, beautiful floats and awesome throws. The parade rolls the Sunday before Mardi Gras and it is the Uptown parade that so many look forward to every year. Me and some friends like to get Uptown early to see the two morning parades that roll and then party all day in anticipation of Bacchus.
I think what I like about it is they are super generous with the throws, and because of where the route is, it doesn’t get insanely crowded. Also, every year they pick a celebrity to be Bacchus. He goes to the ball and rides in the parade. It’s always a lot of fun.
To me, this parade is way better than Endymion as far as «big» parades go. While Endymion seems to be just for show, this Krewe is all about the crowd.

Bacchus is the original Super-​Krewe. Rolling down St. Charles Ave. on the Sunday before Mardi Gras, This group has created their own set of traditions that other now copy. It is also because of their capping the day filled with other parades and a long afternoon break that «Bacchus Sunday» may be one of the funnest days of the parade season. They aren’t stingy with the throws, and the crowd is never half as thick as Endymion, so the chances of catching something are actually pretty decent.

Bacchus is more than my favorite parade; it is my biggest party of the year!
I live on the parade route, and every year, I throw a Carnival party. The invitation always reads, «When: Every time a parade rolls down St. Charles Avenue.» I am hardcore. I call in drunk to work and commit myself to hosting people alllll week long. And to drinking. I am a very committed seasonal alcoholic. :-)
The reason Bacchus is such an experience is that it is basically the only Super Krewe parade that is a part of an ALL DAY St. Charles Avenue parade experience. On weekdays, the parades don’t start until after work, and on Saturday, you have day parades on the Avenue, but Endymion has a different route that night. So, for Bacchus, the crowd starts building from early morning, and doesn’t stop. So Bacchus is huge and exciting!
Of course, this means that significantly more preparation is required, which is one reason I skip Endymion every year (also, I am spoiled now, and if it doesn’t roll in my front yard, I’m not too interested). Anyway, here are my steps for a successful Bacchus experience:
9:00pm — lay down a tarp, in front of the streetcar tracks (did I mention I am a «neutral ground side» girl? I have the Fleurty Girl shirt that says so!)
9:10pm-1:00am — take a nap, because you are drunk.
1:00am — set up pop-​up tent (s) over streetcar tracks, because they’ve stopped running. Also have one of your minions stay with the tent for the rest of the night. Don’t let them nap! Bring them 5 hour energy shots.
6:00am — check on tent (s) & minion (s). Bring them breakfast as a token of appreciation. If you’re really nice, relieve them so they can take a nap. If you’re not all that nice, find another minion to relieve them and go back to sleep for a few hours. You and/​or the minions should set up as many chairs and folding tables as possible during this time. (P.S. Academy Sports sells camping chairs for $ 5 each. These chairs are your best friends.)
9:00am — get your ass up and start drinking. (If you were nice and relieved your minion at 6:00am, you should have already been drinking for 3 hours by now)
10:00am — your friends ought to be there by now, so commence partying. Do not stop until Bacchus is over! Don’t forget to pace yourself, though!
Okay, now that I’ve revealed all my secrets for the biggest parade day of Carnival season, just do me one favor, okay? Don’t steal my spot. That would be lame.