Rules

No one may smoke on a float or in the den! Floats and throw packaging are flammable! No one may use e-cigarettes on the float either.

Behave yourself and be safe while riding:

Each rider must wear a safety harness tied to the float and must remain in her assigned position during the parade (except when using the float's toilet).
Riders shall board and leave the float from the time of boarding until both (i) the float is completely stopped, and (ii) the tractor driver opens the gate and permits the riders to get off.
No riding while visibly intoxicated.
No throwing (or handing throws) until the parade officially begins (as prescribed by the city). Do not toss throws to the front or rear of floats - only to the side.
Do not throw sharp or dangerous objects, discount coupons or redeemable items, objects with a political or religious message, objects that might be considered obscene (including penis beads, breast beads, condoms, or other sexually- suggestive objects), empty single-use plastic bags, discarded cardboard boxes (throws belong in bags, not boxes), or items bearing the name or logo of any commercial or for-profit venture or any organization other than the Krewe of Muses.
The Krewe forbids throws that are offensive to any religious, ethnic or racial group or nationality.
No rider may have more than 30 glitter shoes as throws.
Only Krewe members, their substitutes, and official guest riders are allowed on the float.
Each rider must respect and obey her Float Lieutenant, and must report rules violations and problems to her.

Wear the required costume:

All riders must wear their Krewe-issued masks and costumes at all times during the parade.
No rider may remove her mask at any time (we will see you, and we will fine you).
No rider may change the appearance of her mask or costume. In particular, no rider may shorten her costume in a way that can be seen from the street (i.e., no shorter than mid-thigh) or cover it with any clothing (other than clear plastic rain gear if necessary).
Riders may wear warm clothing under their costumes. However, clothing that covers the arms or neck must be solid black, white, or nude and must be free from visible logos or pictures.

Load your float correctly and safely:

No one may alter the float in any manner or affix anything to it, including nails, hooks, troughs, buckets or cup holders. (Please note that the krewe already provides storage, hooks and cup holders!)
No throws may cover any artwork on the float, including throws hanging over the outside of the float. No throws may hang from or cover any of the light bulbs.
Each rider must clean up and remove her discarded boxes, bags and trash at float loading.
The float loading dates and times will be distributed to the riders well before the parade. Riders may not enter the den until the times fixed for float loading. Children are not permitted at float loading (bring them to the float viewing party). Pets are not permitted in the Muses den.

Protect our Muses name, logos, directory information, and privacy:

The contents of the Krewe membership directory and lists (including float lists) are only for the personal use of the members of the Krewe.
Members may not share this information with others or use it for any business, political, non-profit or other purpose other than for official Krewe business.
Members may not distribute commercial information at Krewe functions (e.g., no ads or coupons may be placed on tables at the brunch).
No member may fabricate or sell any item bearing the words "Muse," "Muses," or "Goddess" (other than glitter shoes used as throws) without the permission of the Krewe. If the Krewe approves any such item and it is sold, the Krewe shall receive all financial benefits of the sale.
No member or substitute may use or permit the use of still or video images taken during official Muses events (including the parade) for commercial purposes. You can post on social media. You can't be followed by a camera crew from your reality TV show!

Membership:

Membership in the Krewe of Muses is strictly personal to the member, and memberships are not transferable or heritable. Although Muses currently permits a riding member to allow her guest to ride in her place every other year, this is not a right of membership, and Muses may prohibit or limit substitute riders in the future.
All substitute riders must be registered with the Krewe prior to riding in the manner prescribed by the Krewe.
The Krewe member permitting a substitute to ride in her place is responsible for paying the administrative sub fee imposed by the Krewe. It may not be passed on to the substitute. No member may charge a substitute more than the actual amount spent by the member for dues and throws.
Members and substitutes shall comply with all rules promulgated by the Krewe from time to time, and with all applicable laws, ordinances, or regulations (including City ordinances and regulations governing participation in a Mardi Gras Parade).

Our enforcement rights:

The NOPD may remove a rider violating laws from a float during the parade. Worse, a violator can cause NOPD to remove an entire float from the parade.
Members may be held responsible for the rule violations of their substitute riders and will be required to pay their fines.
The Krewe may bar a rule violator from participating in the parade or remove her during the parade.
The Krewe may impose a fine, suspend or terminate the membership of any member that violates Krewe rules or fails to pay amounts due.
No member or substitute rider who owes the Krewe money for any reason will be allowed to participate in a parade.
If any member or her substitute violates any laws, ordinances, or regulations (including City ordinances and regulations governing participation in a Mardi Gras Parade), the Krewe has the right to remove that member or substitute from the parade.

Members and substitutes that have not signed the Krewe's prescribed waiver or that have not provided their proof of full COVID vaccination (two shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one of J&J) will not be permitted to ride in the parade. NO EXCEPTIONS.