Krewe of Midcity

The Krewe of Mid-City, Carnival’s 5th oldest continuously-parading Krewe, now traverses the Uptown parade route on what some are calling “Super Sunday.” The parade starts at 11:45 AM, preceded by the Krewe of Okeanos and followed by The Krewe of Thoth and The Krewe of Bacchus. The Krewe has been called the “Most Unique Parade” for Mardi Gras because of their unique foil floats!

History of the Krewe of Midcity

The Krewe of Mid-City was founded by Charles A. Bourgeois and the Mid-City Civic Association in the early 1930’s. Mr. Bourgeois created the Krewe's motto, “Pour La Joie de Vivre” (“For the Joy of Living”) and designed the familiar interlocking heart emblem -- both are still in use today. Mr. Bourgeois and his wife, Gertrude, were the first monarchs of Mid-City reigning over the Krewe's inaugural parade; comprised of six small, mule-drawn floats, a few bands and mounted riders, the parade was themed “Romance of 1934.”

Several innovative “firsts” were introduced to the Mardi Gras tradition by Mid-City and the Krewe was the first to use animation in float designs (1947). This early motion was achieved by volunteer Boy Scouts who were concealed inside the floats working several mechanisms, including pedaling stationary bikes to turn cables and gears on external devices.

Artist and painter Roy Kern was the earliest designer of Mid-City’s famous colorfully decorated foil floats and eventually passed on the tradition to his daughter, Bettie Rae Kern.

Memorable Bettie Rae Kern theme designs included “Toyland,” “Fairies,” and “Magic.” Her “Candy” theme (1955) was accentuated by having the floats spray the smell of the particular candy (licorice, peppermint and cotton candy, for instance) represented by the float titles. Ms. Kern’s many years of sparkling fantasy helped set Mid-City apart very early on from other parades and helped to create the special appeal that endeared Mid-City to generations of New Orleanians over the years.

Upon the death of Ms. Kern in 1992 the design torch was passed to Royal Artists who produced parade themes until 1998. Sadly, Royal Artists were unable to duplicate many of the secret techniques and applications innovated by Ms. Kern and the dazzle of earlier years seemed lost. But from within the ranks of Royal Artists there existed one designer who had studied directly under the tutelage of Ms. Kern in the early part of his career. Ricardo Pustanio stepped forward to begin redesigning and recreating the innovative work of Ms. Kern to fit a new era, and his work and dedication for the 1996 through 1998 parade seasons earned him the prestigious position of Artist / Designer for the Krewe of Mid-City. In the fall of 1998 he left Royal Artists to assume the new position full-time.

The infusion of Ricardo Pustanio’s innovative new techniques and original handmade foil designs brought new life to parade and Krewe alike and helped set new standards in Mardi Gras parade design. His glittering creations of foil flora and fauna and uniquely humorous interpretations of the familiar and oddball have caught the eye of everyone from parade goers to critics. His talent, efforts and dedication have been instrumental in securing for Mid-City the coveted title of “Best Day Parade” for three of the last four years, with only Rex overshadowing Mid-City as Best Overall Parade of 2004.

The 2004 Mardi Gras season also saw the spectacular night-time debut of Ricardo’s Mid-City work when the Krewe of Ancient Druids took a Mid-City float on loan for it’s night time roll through Uptown. The float, re titled“MidSortaUptownCity” for the night, was brimming with added glamour and glitz including lights (a Mid-City first) and new foiled creations that wowed the crowds on the traditional Uptown parade route.

The Krewe of Mid-City is the fifth oldest continuously parading organization of the New Orleans Mardi Gras season and it continues to dazzle and awe under the creative eye and genius of Ricardo Pustanio. The Krewe's Foil covered floats are the only ones of their type used in the New Orleans Mardi Gras. This is definitely the Parade watchers parade to see and experience.

But, as much as entertainment and artistic achievement, dedication and community service are also cornerstones that have distinguished the Krewe of Mid-City over the generations.

Each year, Mid-City selects a boy and girl from the Ronald McDonald House to serve as honorary King and Queen, reigning over the traditional Sunday-before-Mardi Gras ride. The Krewe also invites honorary guests to serve as Grand Marshal each year; these participants are chosen for their devotion and contribution to the New Orleans community and throughout the region. Additionally, Mid-City keeps alive one of the oldest traditions of Mardi Gras – The Battle of the Bands competition "The Greatest Bands in Dixie" in which many of America’s premiere high school bands travel to New Orleans every year to march in the parade and compete for the prestigious title.

With it’s colorful history, honored traditions, splendid artistic focus, and dedication to community, the Krewe of Mid-City truly demonstrates their motto “Pour La Joie de Vivre” in everything they do!

the Krewe of Midcity's Past Royalty and Themes

Year	Theme	Royalty
1934	Romance of 1934	Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Bourgeois Sr.
1935	Familiar Themes of Fairyland	Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Aiavolasiti
1936	Passion for Music	Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jamerson
1937	Dreams of Youth	Mr. & Mrs. J. George Viosca
1938	The Life of King Tutankhamen	Mr. & Mrs. Connie F. Tullier
1939	Familiar Airs	Mr. & Mrs. Dominick Marsiglia
1940	Playtime, Pastime, Sports	Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Bourgeois
1941	Academy Awards	Mr. & Mrs. August W, Walsdorf
1946	Rio in the Times of the Viceroys	Mr. & Mrs. John L. Lenfant
1947	Toyland	Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Barry
1948	Uncle Remus Says	Mr. & Mrs. Ben A. Latino
1949	Characters We Love	Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Scivicque
1950	The Comics	Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Campo
1951	Radio and Television Programs	Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Paul Jr.
1952	The Circus	Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Wolfe
1953	Once Upon a Time	Mr. & Mrs. Leslie B. Meyer
1954	Peter Pan	Mr. & Mrs. John A. Brady
1955	Candy	Mr. & Mrs. Peter V. Young
1956	Magic	Mr. & Mrs. Nicola J. Tessitore
1957	Songs Children Sing	Mr. & Mrs. Walter A Vamprine Sr.
1958	Memories	Mr. & Mrs. S. Wallace Miller
1959	A Day in the Park	Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd F. Gaubert
1960	Childrens' Hobbies	Mr. & Mrs. Peter Alavolasiti
1961	See the U.S.A.	Mr. & Mrs. E. Jack Hagan
1962	Let's Go to the Beach	Mr. & Mrs. Joseph S. Zuppardo
1963	Everything From A to Z	Mr. & Mrs. Lewis E. Johnson
1964	Pages From a Coloring Book	Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Mauer
1965	Happiness is Everything	Mr. & Mrs. Paul A Menard Jr.
1966	Stories That Live Forever	Mr. & Mrs. Louis M. Rubio
1967	Music for Everyone	Mr. & Mrs. M. Paul LeBlanc
1968	A Tribute to Folklore	Mr. & Mrs. Tilghman G. Chachere Jr.
1969	Did You Ever Say....	Mr. & Mrs. John L. Mascaro
1970	Chitty Chitty Bang Bang	Mr. & Mrs. D. Ed Pittman
1971	Charlie My Boy	Mr. & Mrs. George B. Muller Jr.
1972	Games Children Play	Mr. & Mrs. William R. Martinez
1973	One Man's World	Mr. & Mrs. John A. Mipro Jr.
1974	Costumes of Many Lands	Mr. & Mrs. Walter L. Wright III
1975	Louisiana; Cajuns, Creoles & Conga	Mr. & Mrs. George W. Johnston Sr.
1976	The Colonies; Their Birds & Flowers	Mr. & Mrs. Odell Potter Jr.
1977	Fairy Tales From Around the World	Mr. & Mrs. Raymond G. Willhoft Sr.
1978	Songs & Stories of the Sea & Sailing	Mr. & Mrs. Larry A. Jehle
1979	Bible Stories	Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Sterken Jr.
1980	Happiness Is	Mr. & Mrs. Roy A. Hemelt
1981	Lanauaae of the Flowers	Mr. & Mrs. Edaar J. Landrv
1982	Mid-City's Merry Menagerie	Mr. & Mrs. Melvin M. Holdsworth
1983	Our Golden 50's	Mr. & Mrs. Raymond G. Willhoft Jr.
1984	A lot of Spinning Going On	Mr. & Mrs. Karl Senner
1985	Don't Rain on My Parade	Mr. Robert Nunezn & Miss. Kim Marie Cronic
1986	Space Fantasies	Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Di Fatta Jr.
1987	Flight To Fairy land	Mr. & Mrs. John lahare
1988	Mid-City Sings love Songs	Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Plaideau Jr.
1989	Traveling Along Singing a Song	Mr. & Mrs. Michael Haydel
1990	All That's Gold	Mr. John Murray & Ms. Karen Snow
1991	Mid-City Comic Rainbow	Mr. & Mrs. Norman Babin
1992	Mighty Mite Menu	Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Thibodaux
1993	Thanks, Betty Rae Kern	Mr. & Mrs. Harold Haydel
1994	Les Bon Temps Roule	Mr. Mark Eaby Jr. & Mrs. Gail Hartmann
1995	Check it Out at The library	Mr. & Mrs. Emmett Mercier Jr.
1996	Kaleidscope of Kings	Mr. Jay Smith & Ms. Diane Rosier
1997	Hold on to Your Hat	Mr. & Mrs. John Landry
1998	Forever Young at 65	Mr. Ralph Plaideau Sr. & Mrs. Robbie P. Holland
1999	Love is in The Air	Mr. Joseph Baggett & Ms Raimee Marmillion
2000	Magical Moments of the 20th Century	Mr. Eric Skrmetta & Ms. Julie LaNasa Lemoine
2001	History of Mystery	Mr. Gerard Braud & Ms. Michelle Swanner
2002	Palindromes	Mr. John Miller & Ms. Jamie Blakeman
2003	Foiled Again	Mr. Clancy Dubos III & Mrs. Margo Dubos
2004	The Things We Do For Love	Mr. Steven Farkas & Mrs. Natalie diBenedetto Newton
2005	Another Super Sunday At the Movies	Mr. Rick Polizzi & Mrs. Melissa Swanner Pettavino
2006	Rode Hard Put Up Wet	Queen Katrina Duvet Debris
2007	Foilicious	Dr. Edward Campbell & Ms. Tiffany Lambert
2008	75 years Written in Foil	Mr. Harold F. IlG & Ms. Kelsey Leigh Jarrett

2013 Behind the Scenes Pictures

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