Who organizes and pays for Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras parade krewes are private non-profit organizations whose members get together year round to plan their parade’s theme, costumes, and unique throws. Each Carnival Club, as they are known, is individually funded by its members. They support their krewe through dues, sales of krewe-related merchandise to their members, and fundraising. Mardi Gras parade krewes may not have corporate sponsors. The city of New Orleans is not involved in coordinating Mardi Gras parades — their only involvement is to issue parade permits to each individual Mardi Gras krewe who schedules and coordinates their own parades.
