| Comus is the oldest
krewe in New Orleans. It was formed
January 10, 1857 by nineteen men and would soon be the model for krewes to
come. Comus saved Mardi Gras after violent Carnivals in
New Orleans. The club was the first to use the word krewe and was the first to form a secret Carnival organization. They were also the first krewe to
use mythology in their title. Their first parade was Fat Tuesday evening, February
24, 1857 and it was the first parade in New Orleans that had a theme. The
parade was lit by flambeaux (gas-fueled torches) because there were
no street lights and there was no way to see the floats. After the parade, four
tableaux, or scenes, were presented at the ball. Comus does not parade today because the
city requires krewes that parade on the streets to allow minorities to ride.
Instead, Comus has a procession from Antoine's, a fancy New Orleans'
restaurant, to the Municipal Auditorium where they have their ball.
During the ball, Rex and his queen meet Comus and his queen. Comus
appears with a mask and a goblet instead of a scepter.
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