Krewe of Bacchus

The Krewe of Bacchus is an organization that parades during the New Orleans Mardi Gras, on the Sunday evening before Mardi Gras. Bacchus was founded in 1968 by Owen Brennan, Jr. as one of the first modern "superkrewes," defined by their size, spectacular floats, and celebrity riders. It is named for Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

Bacchus was the first krewe to have celebrities appear as Kings of its parade. Past Kings of Bacchus have included: Steve Guttenberg, William Shatner, Lorne Greene, Charlton Heston, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Jon Lovitz, and more recently, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Michael Keaton, James Gandolfini, Harry Connick, Jr. in 1993, Hulk Hogan in 2008, Val Kilmer in 2009, Drew Brees in 2010, and Will Ferell in 2012. Ron Howard's reign as Bacchus was canceled by the 1979 New Orleans Police Department strike which scuttled all Mardi Gras parades within the city limits.

The 2009 Krewe included more than 1,350 members, and its parade featured 33 floats, including its signature floats: the Bacchasaurus, a giant dinosaur; the Bacchawhoppa, an equally large whale; Bacchagator, an enormous alligator; and Baccatality, a 3-float procession made up of restaurateurs. The Baccamore', a love themed float, was introduced in 2008. In keeping with tradition, "Bacchus beads" and doubloons are thrown to revelers from the floats.