Upcoming Battalion Meetings and New Battalion Options

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Upcoming battalion meetings

These meetings are not for the whole krewe — just for people who are part of these groups, but anyone who is thinking about joining these groups is welcome (even if you’re not ready to commit yet). These would be great opportunities to meet other members of the battalion or sub-group or ask questions.

New Battalion Options

  • Road to Reims is a brand-new battalion! This group could include knights or other warriors, or characters associated with cathedrals. Details below
  • Joan as Muse: This will be a new sub-group within the Legacy Battalion. Legacy Battalion leader Carol Lynch is looking for a group of about 12 people, with each person portraying a specific book, movie, play, opera, song, etc., about Joan of Arc. Details below

Joan as Muse. New group now forming for the Legacy Battalion. Joan of Arc's life left a legacy of artistic, musical and literary compositions. Imagine a group of men and women "wearing" opera, movies, television, books and music. Add accessories to create your own artistic look!

Joan as Muse

  • The dress / tabards pictured above can be affordably ordered pre-made with your custom image representing your artwork — no sewing required! Carol has already ordered and received a sample.
  • Contact Carol Lynch if interested, clynch@cdly.org, 504-343-5327

Road to Reims — New Battalion

New Battalion in 2027!  After her first victory at Orléans, Joan turned the tide of the Hundred Years War in one of the greatest military comebacks in history. She knew that Charles VII had to be officially crowned and anointed with the holy oil of the French kings at Reims, but Reims was occupied by the English. So Joan pushed Charles to take back 12 more cities, finally taking Reims itself, where Charles VII could be crowned with Joan at his side. This battalion will include: the French delegation including the official “Joan” from Orléans carrying the French banner, full members costumed as butterflies following Joan’s banner, the Rotarian “knights” who fund the French Joan exchange program, and the flag corps representing the cities Joan liberated after Orléans.

  • Full member costumes: This battalion is open to full member character ideas that fit the theme, such as the Bishop of Reims, characters associated with medieval cathedrals, or knights or other soldier types representing the battles.
    • We’d love to have a Bishop of Reims character.  He was appointed but unable to take possession of the cathedral because he was exiled along with Charles VII and the rest of the court while the city was occupied. Joan took back the city for the French on July 16, 1429, the bishop was installed that very day, and he in turned crowned Charles VII the very next day.
    • Characters associated with cathedrals and the lucrative business of medieval pilgrimage sites are welcome, such as characters giving indulgences or people needing healing from the king’s evil.
    • The butterflies group costume may be an option for those who are committed to a significant investment in funds and workshop time to build your own wing costume with Gretchen’s guidance.   
  • Music: The flag corps will be playing victorious medieval and medieval-style recorded music supported by live drummers.
  • Props: Two new props are planned to build this summer, a battle map with moving led lights showing the progress of Joan’s army across it and a rolling Reims Cathedral in the style of other cathedrals in the parade
  • Leader: Gretchen Zalkind, 504-439-4530, g.zalkind@gmail.com

The image to be used as the new Reims cathedral prop, which will roll down the street in the same style as our Notre Dame de Paris and Orléans cathedral props.

A new Krewe throw, the Holy Ampulla of France with jeweled postcard reliquary and a real glass bottle with real anointing oil, modeled after the divinely refilled oil bottle used to anoint the first French king Clovis at Reims and most of the subsequent kings including our Charles VII.

Let Captain Amanda know your battalion plans

Battalion FAQs

  • All Battalion Options Overview webpage
  • You can change your mind any time — just make sure your costume fits the concept for the section you’re walking in. 
  • Most people stay in the same battalion from year-to-year, but others like to switch things up with a new costume, character or section from time to time.
  • Your membership confirmation email will include the contact information for each battalion leader, so you can work with them on choosing a costume that complements the others in your section, and so you can be included in battalion idea discussions, workshops, etc. 
  • It’s OK to take some time to talk to the different leaders or get to know people in different sections before you decide. 
  • Be sure to talk to your battalion leader before you invest too much in your costume concept — especially to make sure you’re not duplicating a character someone is already playing! Your battalion leader may have some inspiring suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.
  • There are battalions in the parade that are not listed here, because some of the battalions are reserved for specific groups. But, if you have a creative idea for one of the other sections, feel free to suggest it! Here’s the complete detailed line-up.