New Toulouse

The Blessing of the Waters and the Krewe du Canard boat parade will take place this Lundi Gras—Monday, February 8—at 5:50 PM. The Queen of the Carnival, Miss Maggie Hawksby, will perform the voodoo blessing at the fishing dock by Buford’s bait shop. This beautiful ceremony blesses the waters and community of New Toulouse and is a Carnival tradition that is not to be missed.

After the Blessing of the Waters, the boat parade will commence at the same location. The parade of fabulously decorated boats will wind its way through the waterways of New Toulouse. In the Lundi Gras boat parade, the parade floats actually do!

Following the boat parade, the krewe will make merry at the Toulouse Caboose, and the general public is invited.

On Lundi Gras (the Monday before Mardi Gras), Miss Maggie Hawksby led a voodoo procession around the waterways of New Toulouse, asking the spirits to bless the waters and the community. Convening at House of the Spirits, the procession went to Morts Joyeux, the Ursulines Walk, and the ferry docks on the Bayou side. Many of the participants wore white garments, but as it grew, the event attracted residents in street clothes and Mardi Gras attire.

Traditionally, the blessing includes throwing a gold cross into the waters and releasing doves. The prayer ended, “Bestow special blessings on our community, for harmony, peace, and love. May this Mardi Gras be a season of celebration and happiness, and may the sense of joy and fellowship continue throughout the coming year. Grant us your blessings. ¡Ashé !”

Afterward, the procession boarded the new ferry, went around the bayou, and ended up at the mayor’s houseboat in the heart of the bayou, where a special blessing was asked. Conveniently, Eloquent Elysium is next door, and all of that blessing makes a person thirsty.

Additional photographs may be viewed here:
• Jane’s Flickr set
• Pazzo’s Flickr set

Jane Moreaux is good at reporting events that other people plan.