Carnival in New Orleans is one thing. Crammed with tourists from around the world, many of them seem determined to misbehave in a variety of ways. The French Quarter, for example, is no place to bring children during the height of the Carnival madness.

It’s quite another thing in the River Parishes. Here, parades such as Krewe du Monde, Krewe of Lul and Krewe of Allemands are lined with families, including small children, and the vast majority are there to have a safe and sane good time. It’s still a great place to bring children and show off a little to visitors. It’s a fun time for all.

Krewe du Monde, however, was struggling in the past few years, and a determined group of civic-minded people are determined not only to save it, but to make it better than before. They can do this with your help.

The group, including Parish President Nickie Monica and Superintendent of Schools Michael Coburn, are meeting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the LaPlace branch of the St. John Parish Library. They invite everyone who is interested in contributing their time and talents to making Krewe du Monde a success to attend.

Parades such as du Monde are a positive reflection of the good life here in the River Parishes, showing how people here pass a good time. People who are interested in riding in a parade can find out information on how to do it, and they don’t necessarily have to join a closed “society” organization.

It’s the biggest spectacle in LaPlace, rivaling the Andouille Festival for attendance and economic impact, and it’s simply a great way to spend the day, either as a rider or a spectator. Now, under the reorganization, more riders and floats and marching groups can participate and make the event truly bigger and better.

Krewe du Monde is one of the best things about the River Parishes. Let’s work to keep it that way, and keep the bragging rights to this slice of Carnival heaven.

L’Observateur