Ride a Float in the Soulard Mardi Gras, St. Louis, MO- Feb 13

In 2007, a couple Ron and Val, moved to Shreveport, Louisiana. Looking for a way to make friends in a new town, they went to a few Mardi Gras parades, and joined a parade group called the "Krewe of Centaur", which is one of the largest parading groups in the state of Louisiana. When they moved back to the St. Louis area, they attended the Soulard Parade, but quickly realized that they enjoyed being in the parade much more than being in the crowd. They decided to start their own group of parade crusaders.

They organized the Krewe of Calypseaux in the Fall of 2009 in order to bring fun people together in an effort to build a float, work together as a team, and share the fun of being in the parade on a float. With determination and no commercial sponsorship this group with help from a few friends, was able to take a donated trailer and build it back up and into a 34-foot float.

The couple said "The Mardi Gras "ride" is one of those things that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. When we talked some friends into going with us to Louisiana last year to ride in the Shreveport parade, they thought we were nuts to be spending so much money to throw plastic beads to complete strangers. That lasted until five minutes into the parade, when they turned to us and said, 'Oh, yeah, we're doing this again!!!'"

They are currently advertising for new members who want to ride the float with them for Mardi Gras this year. They have posted an ad on Craigslist.org that reads as follows:

"The Best New Mardi Gras Krewe in the St. Louis area is looking for fun-loving, bead throwing fools age 21+ to join us on Saturday, February 13th 2010 for the infamous St. Louis Soulard Mardi Gras Parade. If you have never participated in the parade before, the thrill of the "ride" cannot be explained -- it must be experienced. Your fee of just $135 per person includes pre parade festivities, the joy of the "ride", krewe camaraderie, post parade party and the best bead package on the parade route. Bead packages include 70 dozen beads with our special valentine themed beads that are 40 to 48 inches long (vs. the 24 inch beads thrown by many other krewes).

You may be a bit skeptical about participating, but like others before you just five minutes into the parade you will be saying "Oh , yeah, we're doing this again!!! This is a real Louisiana style parade float built to last and reuse next year, not a temporary float built the week before the parade. For pictures and more information see website www.calypseaux.com. or send us an e-mail."

Their website says that this year's theme is "famous couples" and the float theme is "Calypso and Davy Jones". Their float is the "Flying Dutchman".

"If ye be willing to part with some of yer booty, dress like a pirate, and toss yer jewels to the thundering horde, e-mail CaptRon@calypseaux.com"