By Sheri M. Bleuler McKee~ NOLA’s Party Girl
The Krewe of Tucks is known for their tongue and cheek humor with the motto of Beer, Booze, Bourbon, and Broads; but this legendary Mardi Gras Krewe is so much more. This year NOLA’s Party Girl was invited to partake in the complete TUCKS experience after hearing how the Saturday before Mardi Gras is so much more than just Endymion Saturday that those poor tourists fall into the trap of believing. It’s said that only true locals recognize that the Krewe of Tucks is the BEST DAY PARADE OF THE MARDI GRAS SEASON! Seriously folks, any Krewe that helps the general mass public out by throwing rolls of toilet paper must be properly recognized for helping the financial burdens of the city via the lack of port-o-let systems on the parade route and their generous contributions to assist. These guys make things happen and solve minor city crisis problems one drink at a time in the land of Naughtyham while getting to have a smidge of fun here and there, and then over there some too.
The Krewe of Tucks came from humble beginnings back in 1969 as a group of Loyola University students with some ties to the Greek system of Phi Kappa Theta. The club takes its name from Friar Tuck, an uptown pub where two college students decided to create their own Carnival krewe after unsuccessfully trying to become white flambeaux carriers. Over the years, the parade has grown from a small nighttime parade of pick-up trucks into a procession of major proportions. In 1983 the parade became a daytime event and in 1986 the parade route finally stretched to downtown. Even though the club has grown in size and stature, Tucks has never lost its sense of humor.
This year’s parade theme is “Tucks Gets Culture,” and these guys do it up New Orleans frat boy party style all the way. The concept is a Tucks spin on famous pieces of artwork. They even created a float entitled “Da Yat’s Suppah” reflecting the beautiful painting of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Of course, this is where the great Founding Friars of Tucks decided to place NOLA’s Party Girl on the Neutral Ground Side (just in case you want to make a sign) to spread the wealth of Tucks booty amongst the people of our great city.
Unfortunately due to weather this year, the Krewe of Tucks parade was officially rescheduled to roll at 3 p.m. on Monday, February 20 on their regular uptown route. Now even though Mother Nature decided to rain on the Tucks parade, the after party still went on at the Marriott, 555 Canal Street, with the Tucks Extravaganza celebrating the Carnival season. Costumes galore including tutus, bustiers, wigs, and a whole lot of flair had members enjoying the music of The Wise Guys and The Blue Meanies.
Krewe of Tucks Captain Paul Peyronnin answered some of our questions about this fascinating local krewe that knows how to party!
New Orleans Local: 1. How many years have you been a part of the Krewe of TUCKS?
Paul Peyronnin: I think 24 years, but my memory blurs [or in the early years was definitely blurred]. Plus, record-keeping for the Krewe wasn’t the best in that era; everything was on a rolodex that kept falling apart. We have our act together in a better fashion now.
NOL: What role do you play with the organization?
PP: Missionary is my favorite position. Oh, do you mean how are we organized? We have a central authority, which is our founding captains, Lloyd Frischhertz and Bobby Reichert. Then, there are float captains under them [or, at least that is what they wish]. The float captains recruit/organize/supervise (or try to) the actual riders, plus we have a dedicated administrative staff and volunteer support personnel to handle things like the throws, etc. In the overall scheme, we, the float captains, are there to provide advice and consent to the ruling cabal, but have no real ultimate authority beyond our own floats [except for Karen, who can cry very well and therefore usually gets her way]. Karen and I teamed up as Float Captains because she has great organizational skills and a motherly instinct. I supply the edginess, and won’t hesitate to bitch-slap folks if they get out of line. We have our purposes. Oh, and for many years I was the model for the little Tucks man on the throws. No longer; I guess I’m getting old—perhaps if we threw arthritis medicine I could make a return.
NOL: How would you describe the TUCKS experience?
PP: Orgasmic. For others, it is even better than orgasmic, unless they have been with me.
Riding is exhilarating—in the many years I have done this I have never had anybody complain that they did not have a good time. But, the “experience” is so much more than that—there are parties and events throughout the year that are terrific of course, plus friendships made which are definitely all part of the package. It is all about having a good time. The riding part is obviously the most public component, so I alert new riders that it is the closest most of us will ever get to being a rock star or an NFL quarterback…the roar of the crowd, the adrenaline-pumping excitement, etc., it all becomes a blur and stimulus-overload. It really is something to be experienced, I think words almost fail here.
NOL: How would you compare to riding and being a member of the Krewe of TUCKS, over other Mardi Gras Krewes?
PP: That’s hard to say, because I don’t have first-hand experience with that many other Krewes, although I am a member of several and ride in another. [I wanted to ride in Muses but they told me I had the wrong equipment, I don’t nag, and my feet are too wide to fit in pumps.]
One of the most special aspects of Mardi Gras is that there is truly something in it for everyone, it is such a diverse kaleidoscope of experiences [or a multi-headed hydra, if you wish]. So, different Krewes or elements of Mardi Gras can play to different folks at different times, and even to different elements within an individual. I certainly hope I am more than one-dimensional, so to satisfy myself I need a variety of inputs. Riding at night is definitely a different experience than riding during the day—neither better nor worse, but different. For me, I love the inter-action with the crowd when riding, and a day ride facilitates that better, I think. Also, given the Tucks membership structure, I am always meeting new folks and sharing this experience with them, which is refreshing and also fascinating.
Other organizations are perhaps more focused on the pomp, ceremony, and pageantry [which I also enjoy and appreciate], but Tucks appeals to my inner youth. We may grow old, but never up. Indeed, we really do have a focus on kids—it’s a hard balance to strike but we strive to appeal to kids but still have a bit of an edge—so it’s a “G” parade (well, maybe “PG”) with an attitude. When Robert Reichert (son of a founder and now a past King) was about 10 years old, he came up with the idea of the squirting toilet, which we embraced and it has remained one of our signature throws. I think that approach is what sets us apart from other krewes.
NOL: What’s the craziest thing that ever happened on a ride?
PP: I proposed to my wife. Jell-O shots can make you do strange things.
There is a litany of other crazy moments, but that one certainly sticks out. [Some people insist we conceived on the float, but that isn’t true.]
NOL: Where’s your favorite place to throw along the parade route?
PP: That has definitely changed over time. When I was younger, I liked the stretch after Lee Circle because the crowd was then a bit bawdier along in there and I really had fun “messing” with them. Also, years ago, the neutral ground of Canal Street was wide open and packed with spectators [now, it is somewhat cordoned off]. Making the turn from St. Charles on to Canal is truly a magical moment—when I reigned as King, mine was the lead float making that turn and the crowd just exploded when they saw me—we went bonkers throwing whatever we had left. I think I even threw one of my pages and the door off the outhouse.
In more recent years, as a parent accustomed to seeing the world through the eyes of a couple of young boys, I love the family stretch along the avenue and through my neighborhood. Of course, then I have to listen to folks gripe about the toilet paper in the trees. But, when you see it, I think it’s beautiful and you know Tucks has been there. And isn’t life all about leaving your mark?
NOL: What 2012 Mardi Gras predictions do you have?
PP: It looks like the weather is shaping up to be another nail-biter. But we will have fun no matter what, we always do.
To view photos from the Tucks Extravaganza After Party (Pre Party) visit our Facebook at New OrleansLocal and Like us today. Our Krewe of Tucks coverage will continue tomorrow on the parade route via Twitter: NOLA’s Party Girl along with a dynamic story about the whole Krewe of Tucks experience after Ash Wednesday, once the beads have settled into the drain and the Jello Shots have worn off.
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