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.

This old bird has seen a lot of odd things floating in the waters of New Toulouse, but on Lundi Gras there was a new addition to the flood of Carnival activity: the Krewe du Canard held a little bayou regatta. The vessels were varied, ranging from Blake Palmer’s fishing boat, to Henri Godenot’s float-styled pirogue, to whatever sort of Jules Verne-type craft the Whitefalcons were piloting. Admiral Callidus Waydelich showed up in an inner tube; one would suspect the Mondragons had more impressive naval technology than that, especially after seeing that flying elephant float they made for Samedi Gras.

The parade sailed along the river, amusing the spectators on the deck of the Mama Cree. Then the Duck Armada sailed back to its home pond, and the krewe members went to the Toulouse Caboose, where they proceeded to get polluted. DJ Q got them dancing, Doc Avalon got them drinking, and Lundi Gras may never be the same, especially if the boat parade becomes a regular Carnival event.

Maggie Hawksby swam with the ducks and snapped these photos: Flickr set.

Avis Picayune is a tough old bird.

Residents of our fair parish are advised to disregard any lies and rumors regarding the emergency rescheduling of the Krewe du Canard Boat Parade. Apparently, vandals came in the night and attacked the parade floats until they didn’t.

Residents who find half-eaten, mangled pieces of parade floats on their property, on their roofs, and in their trees are welcome to pile them near the paths, throw them back into the bayou, or use them for fuel.

To give the Krewe du Canard time to rebuild, the boat parade will be postponed until Lundi Gras, February 16, at 6:00 PM SLT. People may watch the parade from a safe place, like the city wharf or the lower decks of the Mama Cree.

Fishing and chumming from—and the storage of bait on—floats is strictly prohibited.

A Public Service Announcement from
The Mayor

Henri Godenot is the mayor of New Toulouse. He oversees a tree removal service as a sideline.

The Krewe du Canard will parade up and down the Missedabracket River in their first annual boat parade on Monday, February 9, at 6:00 PM SLT. The procession will convene at the Toulouse Caboose and proceed up and down the river.

After the parade, the krewe will host a grand party for all with fine food, drink, and dance at the Toulouse Caboose.

Individuals who want to decorate and ride boats in the Krewe du Canard parade should notify Doctor Avalon (phone NT-290). Those who need a boat to decorate may pick one up near the steps of the Toulouse Caboose.

Fenimore T. Abramoff still hasn’t opened that bucket.