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 parade more fun because you're in it. Always be kind and always respect other Cryptique members. Always be a good member of the krewe and of our New Orleans 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 join our parade, all you gotta do is put on a costume and show up! Members are not required to participate every year, but we'd always love to have you. Members are not required to live in the New Orleans area.

Costume guidelines

Cryptique's main theme is monsters! You can wear any kind of monster-ish costume to join our parade — anything, spooky, nightmarish, Halloweeny, dark, creepy, gothic, etc! It's totally okay to get creative with what counts as monster-related. Cute/funny/festive monsters are fine. Terrifying monsters are fine. If it's a monster, we love it. Got a crazy idea? Feel free to check with the Council (info@cryptiquekrewe.com); that's the krewe's leadership.
A lot of us make big paper maché heads; we love to see that, but it's not at all required.
There's no requirement to make a new costume every year.
We strongly encourage making and wearing hand-made costumes rather than store-bought — or, it would be great if at least the main part(s) of your costume are hand-made. Don't let perfection be the enemy of fun; most of us are not artists, and we aren't judgey! We will be delighted to see any level of creativity you bring.
Please do not wear any type of costume that may be considered cultural appropriation. When in doubt, please check with the Council.
We ask that you refrain from wearing costumes that are political in nature. We consider this a safety issue for our krewe and for our parade.
(The above two rules count for throws as well, if you plan on making any.)

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 participating in our parade, you acknowledge that you are doing so at your own risk. We have some parade safety guidelines on our parade info page.

We meet up at 9am on Mardi Gras morning on the neutral ground in front of Buffa's, and we march through the French Quarter for a couple hours, ending at Jackson Square. Our parade route changes a bit every year; see our parade info page for the latest details. 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 and bring the good vibes!

Dues

Members do not pay dues to march in Cryptique, and that's been the case since we started shambling in 2022. Participating in Cryptique is free to everyone. In the future we may offer Cryptique throws to our members for Mardi Gras day, and those would require payment but be completely optional. There may also be Cryptique parties and events throughout the year that may require payment (for example, to cover renting a space, and/or 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! (Well, I guess Ash Wednesday is 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. It helps to sign up on our mailing list so you'll receive any important updates, and check out our parade info page as well. When you arrive at our meet-up spot, 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, as well as invitations to occasional members-only events. 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. See next question about our age requirement.

Q: Are there any age requirements?

A: You must be 18 years or older to walk with Cryptique, or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. We have members in their 20s all the way up through members in their 70s. Most of us are in our 30s and 40s. (And there are one or two members whom we suspect are probably ancient immortals.) Parents, if you have a kid who wants to get in costume and walk with us, you can either walk with us in costume as well, or walk alongside us not in costume, with your kid visible to you at all times. You are responsible for them.

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: I have a mobility issue. What do I need to know about participating in Cryptique's parade?

A: We are thrilled to have you! You are free to join us for any amount of our route that you want; no one is required to stay with us for the whole thing. 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 decide any of this ahead of time or announce any of this to anyone. Do what you feel! For whatever it's worth, we shamble through the French Quarter very slowly. However, if you're not familiar with New Orleans, be aware that the streets in the French Quarter are very damaged in some places, with lots of potholes, and navigating all this can be a challenge. (And the sidewalks aren't great, either!) If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at info@cryptiquekrewe.com and let's discuss!

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