Is there any way to see the krewe in action this year? We are willing to mask. Any info is appreciated. — Roger P.
I recently received the above email inquiry from a prospective member of the Spontaneous Krewe of Platefaces, and replied as follows:
Thanks for writing. It’s been 25 years since I last led the krewe down St. Charles Avenue on Mardi Gras Day. I moved to Boston later that year (1985), returned in 1991, left again in 1995, and have lived in St. Louis ever since.
I hear reports of Plateface spottings every Carnival season, but have no idea who’s resurrecting the krewe, or in what numbers. Of course, I’d always hoped it would take on a life of its own. That was the whole idea from the beginning: ordinary people putting plates on their faces and starting their own spontaneous parades. Power, and fun, to the people!
So, I guess the answer to your question is: If you want to see the krewe in action, you’ll have to mobilize it yourself.
Any other prospective krewe members out there? Remember: membership is free, and the costume costs next to nothing. Just put a paper plate on your face and show up in New Orleans on Mardi Gras day: Tuesday, February 16th. Anyone else wearing a plate on his face is, ipso facto, a fellow krewe member.
