I love just about everything about Mardi Gras. New Orleans, French libertines, King Cake, you name it. Of all of the fun and frivolous things about Mardi Gras, the Krewes fascinate me the most. Krewes are social clubs who organize the parades and balls which make Mardi Gras the epic fun it is. There are a number of fun-sounding Krewes in New Orleans and the surrounding area, organized around cultural identities, or simply to execute the mission of having fun.

The oldest and best-known of these organizations is the Rex Organization. Since 1872, Rex has issued the invitation and edict which brings people to New Orleans and commands them to have fun.

We're gonna party like it's 1934.

You will do what the King tells you!

Parades are an essential part of Mardi Gras. To whet parade appetites, some Krewes would (and still) publish bulletins in advance to give a preview of parade floats. This is my newest, fleeting obsession, and was dizzy with joy when I found out you could buy them online.

Krewe of Comus, 1935

Rex Organization, 2012

If anyone really wants to buy one of these posters for me, I really want the one from 2003 commemorating the Louisiana Purchase.

Independent Order of the Moon, 1888