Tucks Can’t Drive 55 Tucks Can’t Drive 55

TUCKS 55TH ANNUAL PARADE | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, NOON

2,300 members on 36 super floats and 7 new floats • Marching Bands & Equestrian Teams

King & Queen Tucks LV

King Todd Fujimoto

Todd Fujimoto is a graduate of Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business and is the Deputy, Asst. Chief of Staff G-4 (Logistics) at Marine Forces Reserve Headquarters. Todd will be reveling with the Krewe of Tucks for his 13th year and is the husband of Queen Tucks XLV…as well as the co-captain of the Tucksedeauxs float.

Queen Sheri Bleuler

Ms. Bleuler is a graduate of Tulane University where she earned a B.A. in Media Arts along with a minor in Art. Sheri built a krewesignature float – The Tucks Brothel as well as designing three additional signature floats. Sheri intentionally purchases hand-made throws from other local artists to toss off the Queen’s Float.

IT’S A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY: LENT EVE

Although parades are full of revelers of all denominations in or around the processions, Mardi Gras, and the time leading up to it, is inherently a Catholic celebration. In liturgical timelines, Carnival begins after the twelfth day of Christmas—the Epiphany on January 6. Much like Halloween, Mardi Gras marks the day to blow off steam before a restrictive holy day. Carnival continues until the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent, the most solemn time in the Catholic church prior to Easter. Lent represents Jesus’ fasting in the desert before being crucified. Mardi Gras—the French translation of “Fat Tuesday”—is the last day to indulge in excess before the 40-day fast begins at midnight on Ash Wednesday.

Nobody Does It Better

While Mardi Gras often encapsulates celebrating the Carnival season of masquerade parties and over indulgence, the term refers to a single day. The partying is recorded to have been celebrated since Medieval times in heavily Catholic countries, long before the U.S. was “discovered.” These include Italy, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Poland, United Kingdom, and, of course, France. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil may be one of the few Mardi Gras celebrations to rival the Big Easy’s multiweek fete.