NEW ORLEANS – Homegrown hot dog empire Dat Dog is joining the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parade organization dedicated to the “Future of Revelry” that, according to krewe reps, celebrates and unites Star Wars Freaks, Trekkies, Whovians, Mega-Geeks, Gamers, Cosplayers, Circuit Benders, Cryptozoologist, UFO Conspiracy Theorists, Mad Scientists and the rest of Super Nerdom.
Dat Dog’s Frenchmen Street location will unveil a shrine dedicated to the “Sacred Drunken Wookiee” inside the restaurant, along with its room and memorabilia dedicated to the Krewe of Chewbacchus, during a special toast at the krewe’s parade on Feb. 18. Krewe of Chewbacchus rolls at 7:00 p.m. at the corner of Press and Royal streets in the Faubourg Marigny. The toast and dedication to the Sacred Drunken Wookiee will occur between 7:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. at Dat Dog, 605 Frenchmen St.
Dat Dog’s Krewe of Chewbacchus room, including the Wookiee shrine, krewe regalia, hand-made throws, costumes and more, will take over the second floor of the restaurant and spill out on to the balcony. The ceiling will even take on a new persona with laser beams and suspended spacecraft models.
Both Dat Dog and the Krewe of Chewbacchus have cult-like followings and both are uniquely New Orleans, krewe reps said. A dynamic duo, the two entities are dedicated to using their combined powers for good, they said.
The Krewe of Chewbacchus will use the room to host events and fundraisers to support its work with the STOMP Troopers, a special inclusion program that creates a way for children with autism to roll in the Chewbacchus parade. Chewbacchus and the STOMP Troopers implement solution-driven initiatives to encourage autistic children to not only attend New Orleans celebrations of culture, but to actively participate in parades, concerts and festivals. By means of hosting creative workshops, the Krewe of Chewbacchus prepares children to make friends, learn skills and produce artwork and handmade items.
“We pride ourselves at Dat Dog on being funky, and a little bit off key,” Bill DiPaola, Dat Dog’s president and COO, said. “With such a unique community organization like Krewe of Chewbacchus, it was a perfect partnership. We look forward to hosting fundraisers for STOMP Troopers and similar organizations to support our new galactic partnership with the krewe’s 2,000+ members, fans and enthusiasts from around the world.”
“The mission of Chewbacchus is access and inclusion,” Ryan Ballard, Space Commander Chewbaccacabra: Overlord and Conceptual Artist, said. “We are thrilled to present a public shrine to the Sacred Drunken Wookiee at the Frenchmen Dat Dog that is open to everyone. We created an enormous golden Wookiee and an incredible 3D installation that is going to blow minds from here to the edge of the universe and we can’t wait to share it with you!”
