162 MARDI GRAS GUIDE 2020

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Organized during the summer of 2000, the Knights of Chaos is made up of veterans of other parading and non-parading Carnival krewes. Chaos rolls on the Thursday before Fat Tuesday, a night that for more than a century had been known as “Momus Thurs-day.” (The Knights of Momus paraded from 1872-1991, when they departed the streets.) Chaos employs Momus fl oats and presents a satirical parade in the grand Momus tradi-tion. The Knights of Chaos do not have a queen or court, and no ball is staged.

CHAOSCelebrating their 20th anniversary, the Knights of Chaos present a 16-fl oat parade.

The theme remains secret until the night of the procession. The identity of the king, named Number One, is never revealed. This all-male group is made up of some former members of the Knights of Momus and other krewes. Chaos purchased the old Momus fl oats, which are decorated by Royal Artists. The 225 men always deliver a Momus-style satirical parade that pokes fun at people and institutions. Look for the captain and his lieutenants on horseback. Chaos throws fl oat-specifi c cards, cups, silver aluminum doubloons, lighted footballs, lighted Knight fi gures, and LED swords. Flambeaux and more than 20 members on horseback are traditionally featured in the procession, which follows the Knights of Babylon parade and precedes the Muses parade on the Thursday night before Mardi Gras. Chaos does not stage a ball.

Babylon, the capital of Babylonia, was an important city of ancient Mesopotamia. Its namesake Mardi Gras organization was founded in 1939 by a group of men who wanted to stage a fi rst class parade for the public and a fi rst class tableau ball for their ladies. Originally known as the Jesters Club, the Knights of Babylon continue to adhere to the traditions of their founding members. Babylon’s monarch, Sargon, king of Assyria (722-705 B. C.), reigns over the parade and ball. The identity of the king is never revealed to the general public. The title of Babylon’s elaborate parade and ball theme is also undisclosed until the day of the event. www.knightsofbabylon.org

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Led by their captain in his own new carriage, the Knights of Babylon will celebrate their 81st anniversary. The 310 members and 15 lieutenants on horseback pres-

ent an old-time fl oat procession with 27 fl oats. The Queen (whose name won’t be revealed until parade day) is the daughter of their 1992 Queen. Theme fl oats include Minotaur, Lohengrin, and Gargoyle. King Sargon LXXV’s fl oat is mule-drawn and is surrounded by fl ambeaux. Special signature fl oats include the Offi cial Knights Streetcar, Jesters’ Jazz, and the Babylonian Barge. Creative consultant Henri Schindler’s mark will be evident in the parade, which was built by Blaine Kern Artists. Several jazz bands and high school bands will perform in the parade. Throws include different doubloons from the krewe members and the riding lieutenants. Other throws include Jester koozies, dolls, lighted Jester hats, bracelets, crest medallion beads, lighted beads, and sweatbands. New signature throw this year is an LED Jester on a stick. The parade includes nearly 80 units. Each year the Knights proclaim, “Carnival Begins when Babylon Rolls.”