Intergalactic Krewe of

Chewbacchus

Parade Day: This is the Way

Chewbacchus is founded on improving the known ‘Verse through community and revelry. In joining together to craft, costume, parade, and socialize, we build a stronger connections and a better world. There’s no one way to make Chewbacchus magic happen, but here’s some tips and tricks to make your parading experience out of this world.

Become a ChewbacchanALIEN

Membership in the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus for the 2023 Chewbacchus parade is OPEN TO EVERYONE. Annual membership dues are $42 (the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything) when you pay on time. Membership includes FREE entry to the Chewbacchanal as well as all sorts of extra perks. If you procrastinate, procrastination fees will be applied. Click here to pay your dues for the 2025 celebration.

Children, ages 4-12, are half price and pay only $21 for dues (plus procrastination fees when applicable). Ewokus rates follow the same schedule, at the half-price rate.

There are also a few free ways to join the Krewe:

  • We are always looking for fresh meat for our Parade Escort Team, the Redshirt Rebellion.
  • Photographers and Videographers who join the Pixel Squadron get total access to Chewbacchus events that they document.

Please note, annual membership dues are active through the parade weekend of that membership year. Annual dues are non-refundable.

Public Health Precautions

Chewbacchus will follow any required COVID or public health precautions as dictated by the City of New Orleans for marching krewes for the current carnival season.

Parading 101

  • Pace yourself! It’s a long day walking around from lineup to the after-after parties. Hydrate. Wear comfortable shoes. Eat a good lunch and set yourself up for an amazing ride!
  • NO GLASS on the route! Absolutely none! That means no glass throws or beer bottles! Don’t bring it on the route at all.
  • NO FIRE on the route! Absolutely none! No firebreathing or flamethrowing contraptions! No incendiary devices! These are 100 against city regulations.
  • A basic tool kit (Oh Shit Kit) is a must. Depending on your needs, carry some safety pins, duck tape, a can of Fix-a-Flat and a chain/lock for any and all contraptions. If your thing is not waterproof bring a tarp in case of rain.
  • Maintain a slow and steady pace. We work for many months to put this thing together. Try and enjoy it! Don’t run to catch up to the group in front of you if a gap develops in the lineup. This tendency to panic is what creates the “accordion” effect in parades. It gets worse the further back you are in the lineup.
  • Give out your beautiful handmade throws strategically. We attempt to make Chewbacchus the only leave no trace parade in the Universe.

Pack Your Oh-Shit Kit

This list is mostly with contraptions in mind, but the general rule of thumb is to pack a kit that would help you get your costume or contraption parade ready if there are any rips, tears or mishaps during transport, load-in or during the parade. Use this as a guideline and build your own checklist/kit for the big day:

Staple Gun & staples
Duct Tape; Electrical tape; clear tape
Air Pump
Fix-A-Flat
Batteries (AA, AAA or any others needed)
Bike Lock
Zipties
Scissors
Basic tool kit (hammer/pliers/wrench/bit screwdriver)
Hot glue gun; Glue sticks (if you have power in your contraption)
Utility knife
Bike tools
Bungee cords
Ratchet straps
Spare hardware: screws, nuts & bolts, etc.
Crazy glue
Tiny screw driver
Sharpie
Safety pins
Earplugs
Flashlight
Paper towels/napkins
Trash bag(s)

Lineup

Lineup is a magical place on parade day. Plan your arrival time so you have enough time to do all the things in your checklist, load in your contraption, pick up any last wristbands and save some time to walk around to take pictures and oogle all of the cool things your fellow krewe-mates have built. 

Subkrewes must register in advance in order to get placed in the parade day lineup. All SubKrewes are placed depending on a number of factors, including size, theme, contraption, music, etc. Placements are made at the discretion of the Overlords and Lineup Coordinator. Subkrewe captains should look for the “SubKrewe Rodeo” in the Krewe of Chewbacchus FB group and submit registration no later than December 31st of the year prior to the parade date.

  • Zones are assigned to help break down which area your subkrewe should line up in. We do our best to break up zones so there is enough room for everyone but lineup as we get closer to roll time can get very crowded. Introduce yourself to the folks ahead and behind you in the final roster–this will be especially crucial if you have to finagle getting around folks as we start rolling. As more folks move out, it will be easier to follow the leader and get in place. Don’t forget to be kind and courteous to your fellow members. Emotions run high because we’ve all been working so hard to get to this moment. Do your best to work through the beautiful chaos of lineup.  
  • Parking can be tricky at lineup. Plan to carpool, rideshare and if you’re parking in the neighborhood, be very aware of any and all parking signage. 
  • Once placements are made the final lineup will be released via email and posted on social media. Subkrewes should arrive to lineup early enough to unload contraptions and get in to the designated zone or lineup location. More details about zone placements and lineup times will be released with the final lineup. Lineup arrival times depend on zone placement, but typically are some time between 4-6 p.m. on parade day.

Droid Collars

All marching members must wear droid collars (wristbands) in order to march in the parade. Droid collars also admit members into the Chewbacchanal. Distribution will take place in the weeks before the parade. Times and dates for pre-parade distribution will be published as those details are confirmed.

Members should do their best to pick up droid collars prior to parade day. If you still need to pick up your wristband, distribution will be at the main Chewbacchus tent at lineup from 3 – 6 PM. Distribution closes PROMPTLY at 6 PM.

Members MUST pick up wristbands before distribution ends at 6 p.m. No exceptions, no excuses.

Contraptions

We are the Future of Revelry. We are the first true open source parade with an emphasis on DIY, homemade, and sustainable materials and practices. Any and fandoms are welcome, and members can build almost anything contraption to roll in the parade, as long as they can be pushed, pedaled, pulled, or electric-powered (particle propulsion accepted). We utilize tricycles, shopping carts, robotic power chairs, rickshaws, golf carts, and more. There are some earthly limitations we must follow to ensure compliance with New Orleans ordinances. Visit the Rules & Advice for Building Contraptions for more info about what works best for parade day. The basic check list is:

  • NO FIRE.
  • NO Riders on tugged, float-like structures
  • 11 feet tall and under!
  • Test your thing early enough to make sure it will make it through the whole parade and make adjustments if needed.

Contraption Parking

Overnight parking for contraptions is available at the end of the Chewbacchus parade route for $25. This parking is for contraptions only. Absolutely no vehicles are allowed to park in the contraption parking area. Purchase contraption parking at Eventbright.

  • Contraption pickup will be the Sunday after the parade. Additional information will be posted as details are finalized.
  • Please note, while there will be security stationed in the parking lot, subkrewes should do everything within their ability to secure and lock away items. Contraptions should be moveable, in case it is blocking the way to another contraption during drop-off/pick-up.
  • Printed Parking Permits will be distributed at Droid Collar distribution events. Permits should be attached to the contraption upon parking in the lot.

Contraption Collection

Contraption Collection is a special time to bask in the post-parade glow as you see your fellow members and chat over a beverage. If you’re planning to do the collection, The Overlords strongly recommend taking a few minutes to drop by the tent. 

  • Contraption Collection is Sunday after the parade. Additional details for collection time and location will be posted as details are confirmed. We will have hydration and breakfast booze as a courtesy for you picking up your contraption on time. Thanks in advance for making plans to collect your stuff. The Handle Your Shit Policy will be in full effect, and all items will be relocated to the street promptly at noon.

Throws

IKoC members create an impressive variety of handmade crafts for parade goers, but some of our signature throws are bandoliers, “bando blocks” (signature collectible blocks to decorate the bandoliers), and pocket shrines for our Sacred Drunken Wookiee. Throws run the gamut from simple to extraordinary. Visit The Ultimate Guide to Chewbacchus Throws and Costumes to get more info about what Chewbs across the verse make for parade day.

  • Chewbacchus throws are handmade works of art and this is a big part of what makes them so special. Make throws that are easy to throw and carry.
  • Don’t wrap your throws in plastic or make disposable throws that generate trash – our goal is always to leave a small trash footprint on the Parade route. If you are not sure if an item is appropriate, ask in the Facebook group.
  • You do not need to give something to every single person on the entire parade route.

Royalty Dinner

Traditionally held the evening before the parade rolls, the annual Chewbacchus Royalty dinner is an opportunity to toast Chewbacchus royalty and the Golden Wookiee Award recipients. Golden Wookiee Awards are given at this annual event to the most dedicated Chewbs who have served the Mother Krewe in an exceptional capacity. This event is typically by invitation of the overlords to award recipients, as well as past recipients who continue to contribute to the well-being and development of the Mother Krewe.

The Chewbacchanal

After rolling through the streets of New Orleans dispensing the blessings of Our Sacred Drunken Wookiee to the masses, Chewbacchus members attend at THE CHEWBACCHANAL! This post-parade party is a place to reconvene with parade friends and members of the public to celebrate the evening’s march. The party features bands, DJs, and lots of goodwill. The public can purchase tickets to the Chewbacchanal, but entrance is included in annual membership dues. General Admission tickets are available for purchase for non-members. There are also VIP upgrade options available to members.