Krewe of Iduna History

The Krewe of Iduna (ee-DON-uh) was organized in 1960 by a group of Baton Rouge women who wanted to establish a women’s social Mardi Gras organization based on the old traditions of New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes.  The purpose was to present a themed formal ball each year with a king, queen, pages, maids and dukes whose identity would be a secret until the night of the ball. Since our maids were not debutantes, any parties to honor the Court were held after they were presented at our ball.  At the beginning, even the king did not know he would be king until the night of the ball.

The name Iduna was proposed by Ruth Sherlock, a Charter member, and was based on a Scandinavian myth “The Apples of Iduna”. Iduna was the goddess of youth, and her husband, Bragi, was the god of poetry and eloquence. Thus came the krewe’s name and our king and queen’s names.

The First Ball was in 1961

The first ball was held in 1961 in an airplane hanger out at Ryan Field, now known as Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.  At the time, that was the only place large enough to hold a tableau, presentation, and ball for 300-500 people. The charter members had to do all the work themselves, from draping the entire hanger with fabric, to stocking the bathrooms with supplies. All the Baton Rouge krewes used the same facility, so they shared some of the decorating responsibilities. The first krewe to arrive put up the wall hangings and the last krewe to leave disassembled.

Since Iduna was the youngest Krewe, we traditionally opened Carnival with the first ball of the season and our responsibility was to put up the wall hangings.   From what our charter members tell us, it was truly a family affair, as it is now, with husbands and children pitching in to put it together. For a number of years the balls were held at Ryan Field and since have been held in various hotels, the Riverside Centroplex and, for over 20 years, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Krewe of Iduna balls are now held downtown at the Raising Cane's River Center.

Iduna in the News

The Advocate 2026: Krewe of Iduna 'Travels to "Wonderland' for 65th Ball

The Advocate 2025: Krewe of Iduna Presents Magical 64th Annual Mardi Gras Ball

The Advocate 2024: Krewe of Iduna Celebrates Cuban Culture at Annual Ball

The Advocate 2023: Krewe of Iduna Takes On Bewitching Theme for 62nd Annual Ball

Nola.com 2021: Krewe of Iduna Party for the Paqes

The Advocate 2020: Krewe of Iduna celebrates '60 Years of Strong Women'

The Advocate 2019: Krewe of Iduna celebrates with 'The Future's So Bright' theme

You Tube 2019 Parade: Krewe of Mystique and Krewe of Iduna

The Advocate 2018: Iduna celebrates the krewe's 58 years at Jan. 6 ball

The Advocate 2016: Krewe of Iduna makes ‘Run for the Roses’

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2022

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2019

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2018

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2016

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2015

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2014

Fabricating Fun 2015: Mardi Gras Costumes in the Capital City

Krewe of Iduna Today

Dance Groups

We have fabulous dance groups that perform in our Mardi Gras Ball each year: "Ladies 1", (for intermediate to advanced dancers), "Ladies 2", (for beginner to intermediate dancers), and "Couples of the Krewe", (ballroom-type dancing for couples). Our "Ladies 3" performance group is also known as our "Walk-Ons" and they walk with style, and in costume, and interact with the crowd in a way that goes with the theme. New this year is the option to additionally participate in the parades walking group - the Prim Idunas!

Organization

Krewe of Iduna is managed by an Annual  Board of Directors. The Ball Captain is in charge of the annual festivities. These women plan social events and the Mardi Gras ball,  and implement with the help of other members. Please reach out if you're interested in learning more.