In 1835, James R. Creecy described New Orleans Mardi Gras in his book Scenes in the South, and Other Miscellaneous Pieces:

Shrove Tuesday [Mardi Gras] is a day to be remembered by strangers in New Orleans, for that is the day for fun, frolic, and comic masquerading. All of the mischief of the city is alive and wide awake in active operation. Men and boys, women and girls, bond and free, white and black, yellow and brown, exert themselves to invent and appear in grotesque, quizzical, diabolic, horrible, strange masks, and disguises. Human bodies are seen with heads of beasts and birds, beasts and birds with human heads; demi-beasts, demi-fishes, snakes’ heads and bodies with arms of apes; man-bats from the moon; mermaids; satyrs, beggars, monks, and robbers parade and march on foot, on horseback, in wagons, carts, coaches, cars, etc., in rich confusion, up and down the streets, wildly shouting, singing, laughing, drumming, fiddling, fifeing, and all throwing flour broadcast as they wend their reckless way.

Things haven’t changed all that much, except the costuming has gotten way more lewd, and noticeably more funny, ridiculous and inventive since then.

This year, I cannot wait to see all the Trumps: Donald, Melania, Ivanka and the other adult kids satirized on the street (well, maybe not Barron—he’s only 10 years old and should be left alone for a little while at least).

I’ve seen Alec Baldwin and even Meryl Streep do their Trump imitations, and suffice it to say, the dude is a pretty easy target now and will probably continue to be one for the next four years.

I’d like to salute the redoubtable writer, satirist and cartoonist, and previous OffBeat editor, Will Bunn “Bunny” Matthews, as king of this year’s Krewe du Vieux parade on February 11. Bunny wrote many memorable and controversial pieces for OffBeat, as well as many episodes of Vic and Nat’ly; he designed great covers, and posters of Ernie K-Doe and Mardi Gras. We were sorry to lose him at OffBeat after Hurricane Katrina.

Serving as the monarch of this year’s Krewe du Vieux couldn’t be a more perfect fit for him, as he is an aficionado of all things New Orleans and Mardi Gras, and already the king of local satirists, which we need more of in this crazy city.

So, congratulations, Bunny! Am glad you are still on this side of the earth to share the honor with the most funny and satirical Mardi Gras krewe out there.