New Orleans’ oldest active gay Mardi Gras krewe has canceled its annual Carnival ball for 2015, a decision it said was difficult but financially necessary amid increasingly difficult times.
The Krewe of Petronius, founded in 1961, said Wednesday that it will not hold Bal Masque LIV this year, instead putting all of its funds toward its 55th anniversary ball next year.
“The behind-the-scenes costs of putting on an elaborate event are more astronomical than most people understand,” said Petronius’ captain, Daryl Dunaway Jr. “It just was not possible this year for us to have enough money to not be in debt.”