New Orleans’ oldest gay Carnival krewe, Petronius, cancels costume ball due to coronavirus

The Krewe of Patronius planned to celebrate its 60th year with its typically over-the-top costume ball at the Frederick Sigur Center in St. Bernard Parish on Feb. 6. But with no end in sight to the coronavirus crisis, New Orleans’ oldest gay Carnival organization has decided to postpone the party until 2022.

The ball, which includes a pageant of members wearing enormous sculpted headdresses and long trains, inevitably brings the costumers and attendees into close quarters, explained krewe captain Mina Hernandez. It would be impossible to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19, so “after a great deal of discussion, thought and care,” the krewe decided to skip the 2021 celebration.

Hernandez said that for her, the decision had a personal angle: Her 83-year-old mother attends annually.

“To put her in that position would be unacceptable,” Hernandez said.

And that concern extends to the rest of the audience and members as well.

The Krewe of Petronious got its start in 1961, long before mainstream acceptance of LGBTQ culture was even dreamt of, at a time when attending gay gatherings could lead to arrest and deliberate public humiliation.

The krewe, which does not stage a parade, has only canceled a few balls since its founding. Hurricane Katrina accounted for one cancellation, and the krewe was unable to conduct balls in 2004 and 2015 for lack of sufficient finances, according to Hernandez.

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The theme of the 2021 ball, "The Night at the Museum!," will be held over until next time, Hernandez said, as will the 2021 royalty. Hernandez said the election of captain will take place during the hiatus, but if she is replaced, she will continue as a consultant to ensure continuity between the balls.