Cryptique Krewe at Jackson Square on Mardi Gras day, 2024

Krewe bylaws and FAQs

Our rules and guidelines are pretty darned laid-back. When in doubt, refer to Rule #1. Feel free to contact us at info@cryptiquekrewe.com with any questions.

Rule #1: Good vibes only

Always bring positive energy; always make our walk more fun because you're in it. Always be kind and always respect other Cryptique members. Always be a good member of the community. No drama, no stress. Our whole thing is about walking down the street wearing silly costumes; if you're inclined to get stressed out about that, this might not be the krewe for you!

Membership

All are welcome! Please join our mailing list. You'll receive our newsletter with info on upcoming events, our Mardi Gras parade route, etc. To walk with us, all you gotta do is show up! Members are not required to walk with us every year, but we'd always love to have you. Members are not required to live in the New Orleans area.

Costume guidelines

  • You can wear any kind of monsterish or spooky costume to walk with Cryptique; anything nightmarish, Halloweeny, dark, creepy, gothic, etc! It's totally okay to push the boundaries of what counts as monstrous. Got a crazy idea? Feel free to check with the Council.
  • Big paper maché heads are encouraged but not required.
  • Making a new costume every year is encouraged but not required.
  • We strongly encourage wearing hand-made costumes rather than store-bought—or at least the main parts should be hand-made if possible.
  • Don't let perfection be the enemy of fun; we aren't all artists and we aren't judgey!
  • Please refrain from wearing any costume that may be considered cultural appropriation. When in doubt, please check with the Council (info@cryptiquekrewe.com); that's the krewe's leadership.
  • If you're considering any kind of costume that is political in nature, we urge you to run it by the Council. Even if it's something we would probably all be aligned with philosophically, we really want to keep a positive and carefree spirit for Mardi Gras day. Please see Rule #1.

For those of you who are interested in trying paper-maché, we periodically host paper-maché and mask-making workshops! Join our mailing list if you want to be notified of those. (You can also check out Manning's paper-maché blog.)

Mardi Gras day

People who march with Cryptique are responsible for their own safety. By walking with us, you acknowledge that you are doing so at your own risk. We have some parade safety guidelines on our parade info page.

For the last few years we've met up at 9am on Mardi Gras morning on the neutral ground in front of Buffa's, and we've marched through the French Quarter for a couple hours, ending at Jackson Square. See our parade info page for the latest details on our route, start time, etc. If you join our mailing list you'll receive updates about our march in the days before Mardi Gras. As stated above: to walk with us, all you gotta do is show up!

Dues

At the moment, there are none! For now the plan is that there may be Cryptique throws offered to our members for Mardi Gras, and those would require payment up front but will be completely optional. There will also be Cryptique parties and events throughout the year that may require payment (for example, to cover renting a space, and food), but those will also be optional. In any cases where money is collected, if the amount that's collected goes above the krewe's cost, we will donate the remainder to charity and report this to the membership.

FAQs:

Q: It is too late to walk with y'all?

A: There is no such thing as too late! See next question!

Q: How do I register to walk with y'all?

A: There's no registering; all you gotta do is show up! Meet up with us on Mardi Gras morning and you can join our little ol' march. See our parade info page for start time and details. When you arrive, if we don't know you, just find a Council member and introduce yourself. We'll be thrilled to have you!

Q: How do I become a Cryptique member?

A: Just come march with us! Anyone who's walked with us any year is a member in our eyes. It's a good idea to sign up on our mailing list to receive parade info and updates, etc. A large Cryptique tattoo is purely optional (but highly encouraged).

Q: Can I bring a friend / partner / cousin / swarm of bees?

A: Yes, to all but the last one. Bring anyone ya want! The more the scarier.

Q: I have a mobility issue. Do I have to walk the whole parade route?

A: Absolutely not! All krewe members are welcome to walk whatever part of the route they want. You could start with us and bow out early, and/or meet us later in the route and finish with us at Jackson Square, or even start with us and then immediately take a shortcut to our end point at Jackson Square. You could even simply join us for opening remarks in the morning, or just come hang out with us at Jackson Square at the end. Whatever you're comfortable with and whatever makes you happy. You don't have to announce any of this to anyone.

Q: I haven't had time to make a new costume; is that okay?

A: Absolutely. New costumes are not a requirement. Please check out our costume guidelines above. Throw on whatever festive spookiness you got; we simply would love to have you.

Q: Can I make my own throws?

A: Oh hell yes! We would love that! Feel free to make any throws you want, and you can put the name Cryptique on them or not; totally up to you. We'd love to see your creativity!

When in doubt, see Rule #1!

Questions?

Feel free to reach out to the Cryptique Council with any questions: info@cryptiquekrewe.com