krewe of boogaloo

The Krewe was founded in Mississippi in 1932 by B.B. Bacchus, who was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on the Kilmichael Plantation. Since B. B. King was also born there and was an inspiration for re-establishing the Krewe in Louisiana, many believe BB King is Bacchus.

In 1988, a grave decision was made to resurrect the Krewe in Central Louisiana by a group including Rick Ranson, Sonny Craig, Bob Dvorak, and Greg Gormanous. The late John Thompson is the President Emeritus in Perpetuity.

Katie Vanderlick is President, Leslie Elliott Smith is Float Captain and Bob Dvorak is the Perpetual Treasurer.

During the second Bacchanalia in 1936, another leap year, B. B. Bacchus made a grand entrance on Kemosh, his 11,000-pound bull elephant. He disappeared later that evening when he was seen leaving with three women…and Kemosh following them. He was expected to reappear during the millennium leap year for Bacchanalia 2000 and subsequent leap years. However, Kemosh’s reappearance was doubtful. While no one will testify B. B. Bacchus or Kemosh was at the Bacchanalia 2008, a leap year, reports of their sighting were widely spread by Krewe Members. 

Three women descendants of Bacchus attended Bacchanalia 2006. One claimed she had proof that Bacchus was her relative. Krewe members were skeptical because some feared she was attempting to claim the Bacchus’ estate, which is valued at over 14 billion dollars. Bacchus’ three nieces here in Alexandria are expected to lay claim to his fortune.

Recent sightings of Bacchus have been reported in Australian, North American and European cities including Monte Carlo, Berlin, Oslo, Stockholm, Hollywood, Perth, Palm Beach, New Orleans, Quebec City, Paris, Healdsburg, Nice, Montreal, South Beach and Cannes. B. B. Bacchus was seen May 27, 1998 near the French Riviera as Grand Marshall of the Annual Vin De Vin Festival on Avenue De Nostradamus in Salon De Provence. On May 27, 2003, Bacchus was sighted in Sydney, Australia. Multiple sightings of Bacchus were reported on January 4, 2004 in New Orleans at the LSU championship game. Bacchus was also seen in New Orleans during the LSU Championship Game on January 7, 2008. 

Much speculation exists as to Bacchus’ true identity. In addition to B. B. King, some believe Bacchus is Blues Brothers 2000 Steve Cropper or was Otis Redding. Some believe George Burns was the real Bacchus while others think Humphrey Bogart, Jimi Hendrix or Elvis was Bacchus. Although some believe Hank Williams, Sr., was Bacchus, this theory is contradicted by the documented fact that Bacchus visited Hank Williams’ grave in Montgomery, Alabama in 2004.

Honorary Krewe members include Campbell Brown, NBC correspondent; Grady Gaines, the First Grand Marshall of the Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade; former Dallas Cowboy and Grand Marshall Chris Bonial; R. P. Reaves, of Montgomery, Alabama; and Sydnie Kohara, former Grand Marshall. Eddie Floyd of the Blues Brothers’ movie was named an honorary member in 2004. Julie Hanna, the 2008 Grand Marshall of Alexandria Mardi Gras is also an honorary member. Federal Judge Dickie Haik, Josh Hyde and LSU’s Mike The Tiger are also honorary members.

Celebrating music, especially Louisiana inspired music, is the cardinal theme of the Krewe. Past musicians have included The Dock of the Bay House Rockers, Grammy Award Winner Irma Thomas, Charmaine Neville, The Boogie Kings, Leon Medica and Lady Liz Neville, Cookie and the Cupcakes, Na Na Sha, Big Luther Kent, the Harmon Drew Review, Ronnie Brumley and The Fabulous Fire Horns, Tip Top, Bobby Cure, Blues Brother Eddie Floyd & Grady Gaines & the Texas UpSetters.

The official Krewe song is Jockomo by New Orleanian Sugarboy Crawford, and the official Krewe color is Red.

Eddie “Knock On Wood” Floyd, from the Hollywood movie Blues Brothers 2000, performed with Grady Gaines, the first Grand Marshall of the Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade, for Bacchanalia 2004. Floyd performed original songs, including his famous composition “Knock on Wood” and “634 5789.” Grady Gaines & Eddie Floyd were named Co-Emperors of Boogaloo by the COUNCIL OF BB BACCHUS’ ATTORNEYS during their quadrennial Summit in Paris in 2004.