Truth Behind Shreveport’s Krewe of Highland Probation

The brouhaha over Mardi Gras in Shreveport has ruffled lots of feathers. The local Captains Council has voted to put the Krewe of Highland on probation. KEEL News reached out to the Captain of the Northwest Louisiana Captains’ Council to find out why the Krewe of Highland was in hot water. He declined to do an on-air interview, but he has now sent us a statement about what happened.

James Purdy says the Northwest Louisiana Captains' Council "strives to promote Mardi Gras throughout the Ark-La-Tex by encouraging its members to uphold high standards of excellence within the Mardi Gras Community."

He adds that when this council was founded back in 1998, there was not much to regulate with the local Mardi Gras krewes. But he says things have evolved and local krewes have grown and they continue to expand.

Purdy says

A krewe must meet certain established criteria. Some of these requirements have recently become the center of discussion. Among those requirements are filing with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, maintaining a minimum of forty paid members in good standing, and holding its Coronation on or before October 11th. These requirements have been discussed and voted upon by the captains and/or designated representatives of the member krewes over the years.

Purdy says the issue of the Coronation dates has been a topic of discussion for several years. The Krewe of Highland was granted extensions in 2024 and 2025, but during a meeting of the council nearly a year ago, the panel voted to require all krewes to hold Coronations no later than October 11th. Purdy says the Krewe of Highland told there would be no extensions to this deadline in 2026, but the leaders of Highland asked for another extension. That request was denied, but the Krewe of Highland scheduled their Coronation on October 24 anyway.

SEE THE LETTER SENT TO THE KREWE OF HIGHLAND ABOUT THE PROBATION VOTE

Krewe of Highland Refuses to Turn Over Membership List

The statement from Purdy addresses the controversy over membership lists.

Each Captain was asked to submit a current list of members. The submitted membership lists were reviewed solely by the Captain of Captains, documented with the date of submission, and placed in the respective krewe’s folder. No individuals listed were, or will be, contacted regarding their membership. No names were questioned by the Captain of Captains, the Co-Captain of Captains, or the Secretary to the Captain of Captains. The process was conducted entirely on the honor system.

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What Will Probation Mean for the Krewe of Highland Parade

The statement from Purdy says "the “probation” placed upon the Krewe of Highland pertains only to the receipt of complimentary and half-price tickets to other krewes’ coronations and bals. No other benefits, privileges, or aspects of Highland’s membership in the Captains’ Council are affected."

This action will not have an impact at all on the Krewe of Highland parade which is scheduled for February 7, 2027.

Purdy concludes by saying "the Captains’ Council believes that it is important that its by-laws, expectations, and decisions be applied consistently and respectfully to all member krewes."