Geeky Mardi Gras with the Krewe of Chewbacchus

This year in New Orleans, Mardi Gras will be delightfully geekier, thanks to The new Krewe of Chewbacchus, open to science fiction costumes and contraptions. Instead of Mardi Gras beads, they'll be throwing wookie bandeleros.

The krewe will start at the Big Top, 1638 Clio St., and travel through the Central Business District on March 6 at around 6 p.m. Mad scientist pedicabs will carry the celebrity royalty. Brass bands playing funky renditions of science fiction theme songs ("The Imperial March" on tuba?) will set the pace.

Membership is open and all types of science fiction-themed costumes and contraptions are welcome. The march will be followed by Chewbacchanal block party later that night at the Big Top, with pyrotechnic puppetry and musical including Consortium of Genius, or C.O.G.

The new Krewe of Chewbacchus will take to the streets March 6

(Image: wookie warrior, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from simononly's photostream)