What is a Krewe? How long is a membership?

A krewe is a social organization that bands together for Carnival season (and beyond) to put on a parade and/or a ball each year. Our particular Krewe was formed in 2011 with our first annual ball and we first hit the streets during Mardi Gras 2013. Our parade always rides the first Saturday of the main two weeks of parades. Krewe of Freret prides ourselves on our versatile member base including people who are male, female, young, old, native and transplant. Our membership runs from Fat Tuesday to Fat Tuesday.

How much is the membership?

Membership starts at $675 when we first open enrollment to the public and will increase to $750 around Labor Day until January when it increases to $850 for the remainder of the season. In order to receive the early bird rate, be sure to pay your dues before the deadline. And remember, the earlier you sign up/pay your dues, the earlier you’ll have access to all private events and information throughout the year.

What does that include?

Membership includes your riding spot, 10 masks to decorate as signature throws, a costume, a harness, a riding mask and access to Krewe events throughout the year. It also includes a pre-party on parade day and one General Admission ticket to the thrilling Shorty Gras concert after the parade, among a ton of other awesome perks!

Why do I have to buy my bead packages from the Krewe?

We require each member to purchase at least one Krewe of Freret branded throw package directly from the Krewe in addition to (a separate purchase from) their membership. We do this so that we can continue to enhance our brand awareness throughout the city, so that there is more brand consistency coming from our parade, and so that by ordering a throw package for every single Krewe member, we can provide our members with the best available throws at the best available prices. Members are still permitted to purchase other non-branded throws from outside vendors to add to their stockpile for parade day, but we feel it is important that every member of our organization has a solid base of items to throw that are branded with our official logo.

Whoa, I can earn FREE throws??

Yep! For each brand new member that you recruit as a member to ride with you, we will gift you with $50 of free throws.

There is no limit to the number of people you can refer to ride, and therefore no limit to the amount of free throws you can earn.
A "new member" is someone who has never ridden with the Krewe of Freret before.
To receive free throws, you must be a fully paid member by January 6, 2024.
To be counted as the referring member, have your friend put your name as the answer to the referral question during registration.
If you have already successfully recruited one or more brand new members who forgot to put your name as recruiter during registration, please have THEM send us an email to kreweoffreret@gmail.com stating that you were the one to recruit them.
Free throws will be selected by the Board and set aside for you at Load In. We will be in touch about how to pick them up.
Earning free throws does not count as, or toward, your Throw Package Membership Requirement.
If you have any other questions about earning free throws, email us at kreweoffreret@gmail.com

Is membership refundable?

Membership is non-refundable. Producing a parade for Mardi Gras begins almost an entire year before the actual parade, and our organization pays a number of fees year-round in order to operate- float builders and artists, costume makers, permits from the city, deposits on venues, administrative fees (we could go on and on); therefore, we’re unable to refund any money already spent throughout the year as it progresses toward parade day.

Where do we ride?

We ride on the historic Uptown route! The parade begins as your float turns the corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas. We roll down St. Charles Avenue all the way until we hit Canal Street. Check out the map on our website for a more detailed route!

Can I ride with my mama & dem?

Absolutely! The organization is co-ed and we encourage you to sign up whomever you like as a member to ride with you: family, friends, significant other, co worker, etc. We always do our best to accommodate our riders so their groups can ride in close proximity with each other. Please place any requests for who you want to ride with upon purchasing your membership!

👉👉👉Please note: There are age restrictions and special guidelines on floats for youth so please inquire prior to purchasing a membership for a minor.

I still have questions about riding after reading these great answers, what should I do?

If you’d like, the best way to reach us is to send us an email at kreweoffreret@gmail.com.

We respond to every email personally, however, everyone running the organization is a volunteer so it may take a couple of days to respond. Please be patient with us if you don’t receive an immediate reply. Thank you!