Krewe: Berwick-only Dionysus parade was about affordability, accessibility

BERWICK — What started as a routine request for a parade permit eventually touched on what has become a local controversy:

Why won’t the Krewe of Dionysus Mardi Gras parade roll in Bayou Vista in the future?

The Berwick Town Council’s approval for the 2 p.m. Feb. 18 Dionysus parade came at Tuesday’s regular meeting on a request from Krewe of Dionysus member Roddy Richard.

Councilman Lud Henry asked Richard to confirm that the krewe had decided to run the parade in Berwick each year, rather than continuing to move the parade between Berwick and Bayou Vista in alternating years.

Then Councilman James Richard followed with a one-word question: “Why?”

That’s a question some people in Bayou Vista have been asking, too.

A Facebook page called “BRING KREWE OF DIONYSUS BACK TO BAYOU VISTA!” was created Dec. 10 and is intended to “shed light on how important this parade is to our town.” The group has 135 members.

“I have been a part of the krewe for 49 years (or how ever long it’s been rolling)” said one post. “I remember as a kid it lining up on the Hwy in BV. I remember the coconuts being thrown in this parade. I have lived here in BV for that long. How long has the krewe that made these decisions lived here?”

“Well since the tradition is broken, so is my respect,” said another. “I will not be attending the Berwick Parade in Berwick. Not that they will miss me. But I’m from lil Ole BV where we must not be important enough to be heard.”

“Having the parade every other year in Bayou Vista is something our little community truly looks forward to,” said another. “They always have a great turn out. I don’t know the reasoning for this change but I hope that it is not set in stone.”

LeeAnne Richard of the Krewe of Dionysus posted on the page, saying she appreciates the feedback.

But “if you have opinions, ideas, or want your voice to be heard, the best way to proceed would be to get involved in the Krewe and join in on meetings where these concerns can be better expressed. With all due respect, making a Facebook page in opposition to this decision will not change anything.”

That prompted this reply: “Are you saying that those who are unable to afford to be a member should shut up and sit down?”

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Roddy Richard acknowledged that Bayou Vista residents have always supported the parade.

But Richard said the decision to keep the parade in Berwick makes the event “more affordable and more accessible.”

He said the 1-1/2-mile parade route in Berwick moves largely through public spaces. The Bayou Vista route runs through neighborhoods.

The Berwick route starts on Gilmore Drive and turns on John Street, Robichaux Street, Mount Street, Gilmore Drive and right on La. 182, Tournament Boulevard, Fairview Drive then to Pattie Drive, where it disbands at Berwick Junior High School.

And “having to move everything from Berwick to Bayou Vista — decorations, set-up, everything ... along with having to do all the other stuff — it’s just a lot,” Richard said.
He said the Berwick mayor and council have always cooperated with plans for the parade.

The vote to grant the permit was 5-0. James Richard said his question about the reason for the Berwick-only decision wasn’t meant to express opposition.