Mardi Gras, D.C.-style

“You’re going to have a parade with floats in a hotel ballroom?”

It’s the most asked question when krewe members try to explain the spectacle that Louisiana shares at the nation’s capitol every Mardi Gras.

The answer, by the way, is yes.

The Mystick Krewe of Louisianans, which dates back to 1944 when natives of the state living working on Capitol Hill held small dinner parties to celebrate Carnival, celebrated its 59th year last week.

And the recent 2007 Washington Mardi Gras had a prominently local touch. Boysie Bollinger, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, reigned as king. His queen was Elizabeth Claire Chance of Lafayette.

The theme for this year’s event: “There’s No Place Like HomenLouisiana”nwas chosen by U.S. Sen. David Vitter.

Because of the devastating 2005 hurricane season, the krewe did not hold a ball last year.

The krewe was actually the brainstorm of the late U.S. Sen. Russell Long. Originally, it was formed in 1957 so displaced Louisianans in Washington could still celebrate Fat Tuesday.

But like everything else in that politically driven town, the party has grown from a calm (by Louisiana’s standards) one-night affair to a three-day and night spectacle. It has, over time, become the envy of every other state that dares to throw a party in the city.

And for Louisianans hoping to keep the state and its culture on the forefront of lawmakers’ minds, the timing of this year’s event couldn’t have been better.

By all accounts, Washington, D.C., is a city in which people are hard to please. But admission to the krewe’s annual bash have become one of the hottest tickets around.

“We can’t get 30 people from our state in a room to agree on anything,” a New York congressman once said. “Yet, Louisiana has over 3,000 people partying in a hotel at the same time for three straight days.”

Even in Washington, D.C., natives of the Bayou State are known for not letting business interfere with a good party.

When it comes to matters of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianans, members have figured out how to separate the twonor, in this case, combine them.

The krewe is comprised of about 500 membersnindividuals of varying backgrounds. Lawyers, bankers, politicians, lobbyists and the like.

They all come to party, to rub shoulders with the decision-makers, to network and, most of all, to pass a good time. Representatives of a number of the state’s special interest groups make the trip to network and talk up projects and legislation vital to their constituents.

For three days every winter, the Washington Hilton carries the distinction of being Louisiana’s 65th parish. A sign proclaiming the fact is actually placed above the entrance to one of the hotel’s bars.

Festivities traditionally begin Thursday evening at a cocktail party dubbed “Louisiana Alive.”

Thirty to 40 Louisiana-based companies host the event, and chefs from the state’s most noted restaurants prepare their specialty dishes while Cajun bands provide the musical entertainment.

On Friday and Saturday afternoons, Louisiana’s congressional delegation and other state entities host hospitality suites in the hotel. The eating, drinking and socializing continue.

And on Friday night, the formal dance is held. Queens from various Louisiana festivals are presented.

But the real spectacle is held the Saturday evening. The grand finale n a formal Mardi Gras ball n includes the announcement of the year’s king and queen, costumed and masked krewe members parade through the ballroom on foot and atop small floats. Similar to the scene unfolding on the streets back at home, the krewe tosses beads and carnival trinkets to the well-dressed crowd.

Following the parade, the dancing continues until the wee hours of the morning. Sunday morning, various breakfasts are hosted for those still standing. The morning meals are typically provided by the state’s chambers of commerce and other economic groups.

Long-time politicos are hard-pressed to explain the meteoric rise of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianans fame. It is, after all, a parade in a hotel ballroom sans the super floats, flambeaus and throngs of colorful characters lining the street chanting, “Throw me something, Mister!”

But if you love politics in Louisiana, all agree Washington, D.C., is the only place to be for the long, pre-Mardi Gras weekend.

Photo by BLANE FAUL * Boysie Bollinger, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, reigned as King of the Mysticks Krewe of Louisianan’s 2007 Washington Mardi Gras. He’s pictured with his queen, Elizabeth Claire Chance of Lafayette.