O. Perry Walker Marching Band and Booster Club parades whether the sun is shining or not. The Photo is during our 2003 performance in Bacchus. Our new schedule for Carnival will be out by December, please check with our band director for the latest information. Although this photo may have been taken during one of the wettest Carnival seasons, Charger Band normally participates in seven or more Carnival parades, and is one of only a small select group to perform in so many. Often our events are scheduled back to back, and total route accumulation covers nearly 100 miles.
Did you know... Carnival officially began on Jan. 6. It is also known as 12th Night because it falls 12 days after Christmas. Some also refer to this day as "King's Day", because in certain religions, that is the day the Wise Men are believed to have reached Bethlehem to worship their new born king. Although some Parishes(a term used in Louisiana for "county") begin to parade at the start of Carnival, most parades run from two weeks before, and end with the most famous Zulu, Rex, and truck parades on Mardi Gras Day. Parades are hosted by social clubs called Krewes, and parade themes are usually based on mythological characters or stories. Each parade features a court of royalty: Kings, Queens, Maids, Maidens, Dukes, etc. Some of the larger parades feature Riding Lieutenants. They escort the royal court while riding in costume on horseback and toss the parade Krewe's dabloon tokens. The costumes and pageantry are quite spectacular. The massive floats are beautiful and at night, many are illuminated. Beads, Dabloons, Cups, and Stuffed toys, called "throws" are tossed to the crowd by the riders. Spectators can be heard yelling "Throw me something Mister, or "Over Here" despite the background sounds of approaching bands. If you would like to learn more about Mardi Gras, try visiting an independent Carnival site such as Mardi Gras.com. or Official Links Mardi Gras.
Parades are hosted by social clubs called Krewes, and parade themes are usually based on mythological characters or stories. Each parade features a court of royalty: Kings, Queens, Maids, Maidens, Dukes, etc. Some of the larger parades feature Riding Lieutenants. They escort the royal court while riding in costume on horseback and toss the parade Krewe's dabloon tokens.
The costumes and pageantry are quite spectacular. The massive floats are beautiful and at night, many are illuminated. Beads, Dabloons, Cups, and Stuffed toys, called "throws" are tossed to the crowd by the riders. Spectators can be heard yelling "Throw me something Mister, or "Over Here" despite the background sounds of approaching bands. If you would like to learn more about Mardi Gras, try visiting an independent Carnival site such as Mardi Gras.com. or Official Links Mardi Gras.
Each parade must have a certain number of bands that perform in between the floats. In most parades, there is a competition, and trophies are awarded to the best bands. Charger Band has captured many of these awards.
Some of the best competitive music can be heard at a place called "lineup." This place is located at the beginning of the parade route, where the bands are practicing and competing with each other. Band heads call it "screaming",or "blowing" whatever the term used, for music lovers, this is the place to be. Rival bands will alternate facing each other to the left and right of them and "blow", each attempting to out perform the other. Many fans will gather, and it becomes a celebration within itself. The beginning of the route is also one of the best places to catch the best throws, we hope to see you there. Lineup for the West Bank bands is on the neutral ground,(the grass median) of General DeGaulle, toward Woodland. Lineup for uptown parades is at the corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas, either on the neutral ground or adjacent streets. You may have to wander a block or two, just follow the beat to find the right street.
Words of advice: please move back away from the band when they are marching past you. We march sometimes five to seven members abreast, thus we take up the width of the street. Chaperones will say "please move back",,Please do so. This is for your protection and the protection of the band's members. Many times while performing, band members will "dance" with their instruments. If you neglect to stand back, you might get accidentally hit by one. Please do not touch, grab, or interfere with these hard working members, and please, grab the beads, not the band. Also, it is highly recommended that if you have sensitive ears,or have young children, that you cover the ears with your hands as the drums pass, they are VERY loud. We hope you enjoy Carnival as much as we do.
Students practice all year long in anticipation of Carnival, and it is during this time that the spotlight belongs to them. The Chaperones must be given their fair credit. These mom's and dad's walk the same long miles, at an older age often carrying drink and food supplies on their backs. Backpacks can weigh as much as 60 lbs, yet you'd never guess it as each Chaperone smiles from the pride and excitement. If you are going to attend Mardi Gras, then be sure to pat the back of these hard working volunteers.
Charger Band parades peacefully!!!Help us spread the word..Don't shoot guns, Shoot for Success!!! Join us, and our friends throughout the nation as we share one common message; STOP THE VIOLENCE, SHARE THE LOVE, TOGETHER WE STAND UNITED, WE WILL OVERCOME AND DEFEAT TERRORISM. Disclaimer and credits.
