EASTON, Pa. — A staple of Easton’s vibrant music and arts scene is looking to cultivate a sense of creativity and community.
But it’s going to take a crew to make it happen. Or, rather, a Krewe.
Big Easy Easton Brass’s Jeremy Joseph has announced the West Ward Mardi Gras Parade and Ball this March.
It will be an “unforgettable celebration” channeling the spirit of New Orleans, kicking off with a parade to and from some of the city’s favorite pubs, Joseph said.
It will culminate in a ball where one group of particularly crafty individuals can win $1,000.
“I’m always just trying to find ways to bring people together and have fun, and create platforms for people to participate together.”Big Easy Easton Brass’s Jeremy Joseph
It’s all in keeping with the theme of Mardi Gras, the final day of Carnival, which serves as a celebration for people to consume rich, indulgent food and entertainment before the Christian Lent season commences the next day.
The inaugural event is set for Saturday, March 1, but the fun and festivities are already underway.
“I’m always just trying to find ways to bring people together and have fun, and create platforms for people to participate together,” Joseph said.
“And this is kind of a way to make the parade more than just the band or Mardi Gras, it’s to create a platform for people to get creative and come together.”
Assembling your krewe
Budding Krewes are encouraged to visit Porters’ Pub, Two Rivers Brewing Company and Black & Blue to register and begin planning their theme.
Registration is $5 cash, and each Krewe must include at least five people. There are no maximum limits.
Each bar will also host Krewe planning parties, with groups receiving 10% off food on Tuesdays at Two Rivers, Wednesdays at Porters Pub, and Thursdays at Black & Blue, leading up to the big day.
“The planning parties are a way to kind of drive traffic into the bars leading up to the event. And make it not just a one-day event, but something that people are kind of gearing up and getting ready for.”Big Easy Easton Brass’s Jeremy Joseph
“The planning parties are a way to kind of drive traffic into the bars leading up to the event," Joseph said.
"And make it not just a one-day event, but something that people are kind of gearing up and getting ready for.”
The big day will start at 11 a.m. March 1 at Porters’ Pub with a pregame event, with the parade set to start at 3 p.m.
It will travel from the pub to Two Rivers, then Black & Blue.
Krewes will perform for judges at Black & Blue before heading back to Two Rivers for the Mardi Gras Ball, with music by DJ Brad.
Judges will be on the lookout for great costumes, creativity, overall presentation and energy.
Joseph said the performances are pretty much up to the Krewe — do what you like, whether that's song, dance, or something else with an artistic bent.
Looking forward
This will be the very first iteration of the project, but Joseph is looking forward to the future already.
“The thought is, by the third or fourth year, this can evolve."Big Easy Easton Brass’s Jeremy Joseph
“The thought is, by the third or fourth year, this can evolve," Joseph said.
"These groups can get bigger, they can get more animated, they can kind of iterate on how creative they are, their costumes, how many people are in their crew.”
Joseph said the prize money is a bet on the future success of the celebration.
As for themes, the sky’s the limit, Joseph said — the Bachmann Players, a local group of amateur historians and actors, already are set to join, in addition to a vampire Krewe.
“We’re going to encourage an Eagles Krewe, especially if they win,” Joseph said.
“There should be a Harry Potter Krewe, and others. I look at it like a group Halloween project, in a way.
"There’s a lot of different ways people can come together, get creative, make up their own costumes, or do something original.”
Joseph said he’s received positive feedback from theater groups, Lafayette College students and the Chamber of Commerce, which will distribute flyers for the event.
It’s all a matter of building up a sense of community that has diminished over the past few years, and welcoming everyone to celebrate and enjoy life a little bit.
“Our problem with just being online is we're losing human connection," Joseph said. "We are losing coming together as people in reality.
"You know, I think people are more alone than they've ever been, and so giving people a chance where there's a reason to come out in reality, in public, in the real world.
"And it's really just simply walking, but it's a little bit more than that, too."
