As Krewe of Bacchus is approaching its 50-year anniversary, members have chosen Academy Award winner Jonathon Kimble Simmons, better knows as “J.K.” Simmons, as king. Simmons is known for his Oscar-winning role in the 2014 movie Whiplash, as well as in television shows including Law & Order, Oz, The Closer, and many more.
Mardi Gras now includes over 70 krewes. Many krewes elect a king and queen, with a royal court accompanying. Owen “Pip” Brennan Jr. decided to bring his father’s dreams to fruition by establishing the Krewe of Bacchus and incorporating bigger and more elaborate floats into Carnival season. Straying away from tradition, Pip started selecting celebrity kings to lead the Krewe of Bacchus, hence former celebrity monarchs such as Jim Caviezel, Anthony Mackie, Drew Brees, and Will Ferrell — to name a few. This tradition began in 1968 and the Bacchus is still one of the biggest parades today during Carnival season.
The Bacchus Parade always rolls on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday, and starts on the corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas and ends at the Ernest Morial Convention Center. See the Krewe of Bacchus this upcoming Mardi Gras beginning at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 11.
