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February 4, 2015
Mardi Gras GUIDE
February 4, 2015
Krewe of Hercules
Friday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.
(Houma)
The all-male Krewe of Hercules, which has the distinction of staging the parade that kicks off the Carnival season in the Houma area, is celebrating its 31st anniversary under the theme “Hercules Explores Sportsman’s Paradise.”
The krewe was formed by local real estate executive S.P. LaRussa and 15 others, including “Mr. Mardi Gras,” Blaine Kern Sr., who refers to the Krewe of Hercules as “Bacchus on the Bayou.” Hercules is the largest all-male parade in the Tri-parish area. This year the krewe presents 35 double-decker floats carrying 750 revelers bombing crowds with millions of throws.
Terry Pierce is this year’s king.
“Swamp People” star Troy Landry is the grand marshal and will ride a special float bearing the actual alligator that hung over the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans.
S.P. LaRussa is the Krewe of Hercules’ parade captain, while Michael Paul LaRussa acts as the captain of the Royal Court. Mark Pitre is the club president.
The parade begins at Southland Mall, rolls down West Park Avenue to Hollywood Road, takes a right then a left to West Main Street where it proceeds to Barrow Street, takes a right and disbands at Town Hall.
Krewe of Bayou Petit Caillou
Saturday, Feb. 7, noon (Chauvin)
The Krewe of Bayou Petit Caillou is rolling for its 29th year. This year’s theme is “Krewe of Bayou Petit Caillou Goes to Candy Land.”
Accompanying the krewe’s 12 throwing floats will be the Lacache-Montegut Middle School band.
The 150 revelers will throw cups, beads, stuffed animals, footballs and so much more.
Justin Martin and Courney Battise are 2015’s King and Queen.
The 2015 Parade Captain is Alvin Luke, and the Co-Captain is Heidi Foret. Ball Captain is Becky Foret.
The co-ed krewe began in 1985 to bring entertainment to the bayou.
The parade begins at the Chauvin pool, travels north to St. Joseph Church and disbands at Sarah Bridge.
Krewe Des T-Cajuns
Saturday, Feb. 7, noon (Larose)
The largest parade in Larose, Le Krewe Des T-Cajuns, is a popular children’s parade. The procession rolls through the Lafourche Parish community and consists of 25 to 30 throwing floats and approximately 200 to 250 school-age riders. This year’s theme is “The Wild West.”
The royal court is chosen every year at the krewe’s ball. Names of all of the children who wish to be a part of the court are put into a hat and drawn at random.
Mason Scardino and Isabella Leonard are the 2015 King and Queen.
The parade begins at the Larose Civic Center and heads up 5th Street, crosses at the Larose pontoon bridge and heads south on La. Highway 1. It disbands at the Rouse’s Shopping Center.
Krewe of Ambrosia
Sunday, Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m.
(Thibodaux)
Thibodaux’s co-ed, family-friendly Krewe of Ambrosia features 19 throwing floats in its 30th parade – the city’s lone night parade. The 2015 theme, which was voted on by the krewe members, is “Ambrosia Parties into the Night.”
The 400 members will pitch lighted Ambrosia medallion necklaces, footballs, lighted Ambrosia swords and Frisbees, mega-coloring books, jumbo gum and Pixy Sticks, stuffed animals and much more.
Phil Caballero and Paige Melancon are this year’s King and Queen.
The Krewe of Ambrosia Carnival Club first paraded in 1986.
The krewe rents floats from Cantrell Floats LLC.
Krewe of Aquarius
Saturday, Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.
(Houma)
The all-female Krewe of Aquarius is celebrating its 21st anniversary with the theme “Louisiana Festivals.”
Each year the theme is chosen by the parade captain and each float group designs their own costumes, which need board approval.
Along with the 21 decorated floats, the Oaklawn and Evergreen junior high, Grand Caillou Middle and Morgan City and Central high schools’ marching bands will join the fun.
The krewe is 535 members strong.
Susan Landry is 2015’s parade Queen.
The group was formed in 1994 by Tana Marcel and Nancy Carlos. The members choose their queen in a unique way. A king cake is cut and a number is placed on each slice. Members pull a number and receive their corresponding piece of cake. The member finding a silver crown in their piece of cake is the queen.
Krewe of Versailles
Sunday, Feb. 8, noon (Cut Off)
A co-ed organization with 200 members, the Krewe of Versailles is parading for its 41st year on 20 individually-owned floats.
This year the krewe’s theme is “Once Upon a Time in Versailles.” The king, queen and captain select the theme.
The krewe’s riders will shower the crowds with Versailles’ Fleur de Lis, beads, cups, stuffed animals and special throws.
Jerome Joseph Shields and Charlene Pierce Plaisance are the parade’s king and queen.
The krewe was formed in 1974 and is known as the most elegant carnival group in South Lafourche.
Each year the floats are decorated to fit the theme of the parade. Krewe members gather weeks before the parade to decorate the floats for the annual decorating contest.
Krewe of Hyacinthians
Sunday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m.
(Houma)
The Krewe of Hyacinthians 375 members are parading for their 64th year with the jovial theme “Hats Off!”
For the first time in the krewe’s history and in keeping with the theme, it will throw a signature item: a top hat bearing Hyacinthians’ new logo. The embellished hats will be handed from floats.
This parade has 16 throwing floats, and Debbie Chauvin and Kerry Chauvin are the parade’s Queen and King.
The Krewe of Hyacinthians’ tableau and ball is held at 7 p.m. the night before their parade.
Krewe of Titans
Sunday, Feb. 8, noon (following Hyacinthians)
(Houma)
This is the seventh year the Krewe of Titans parade follows the Krewe of Hyacinthians.
Its 500-plus members toss a variety of throws such as cups, koozies and the new Krewe of Titans medallion beads to excited crowds. This year’s theme is “Titans Takes You to Vegas:”
Established in 2008, Krewe of Titans is a family-oriented organization is meeting the needs of the community by providing a riding experience for couples and families.
The 2015 grand marshals are Houma Louisiana HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter.
Now in its 20th year, the Houma group is one of more than 1,400 HOG chapters around the world. It has nearly 400 happy, freedom-loving “rolling thunder” members. In addition to a shared love for Harleys and a passion for riding, the chapter has a deep compassion for those in need, committing to benefit many worthy causes. Locally, the HOGs support MacDonell United Methodist Children’s Services, Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans, Christmas Toy Program, Lara’s Gowns (for young patients at Children’s Hospital) and Relay for Life. The chapter has been the Terrebonne Relay for Life’s biggest contributor for three consecutive years.
Krewe of Shaka
Sunday, Feb. 8, 1:30 p.m.
(Thibodaux)
The Krewe of Shaka celebrates its 20th year traveling the streets of Thibodaux. The parade’s theme this year is “Shaka’s 20th-year Celebration.”
Thirty members on 18 ornamented floats of different community organizations deliver traditional throws and Shaka cups. Four high school bands – Jim Hill High (Jackson, Miss.), Scottlandville High, Belaire High and Donaldsonville High – provide music along the route.
Formed Jan. 18, 1995, the Krewe of Shaka aims to represent community togetherness and leadership.
Identities of the 2015 royal court, including king, queen, Mr. and Ms. Shaka and the duke and duchess, are kept confidential until the krewe’s ball. However, some royalty are known.
The Shaka 2015 Royal Court is:
Mr. and Ms. Shaka: Javis Brown and Tamekia Brown
Duke and Dutchess: Shawn Garner and Johnell Bergeron
Sweetheart: Raven Duncan, the daughter of Tammy Duncan, and a junior at Dillard University
Maids: Randesha Cassie, the daughter of Robert and Latashia Cassie, Kayla Nisby, daughter of Kenneth and Stephanie Nisby, and Alaina Miles, daughter of Eric and Angela Miles
The 2014 King and Queen were Keri and Danielle Holmes.
Mr. and Mrs. Shaka:
Kevin Henry and Shawn Campbell-Joseph
The parade starts at Martin Luther King Park and Iris Street, goes to School Street, proceeds to Canal Boulevard, turns right on St. Charles Street, goes to Fifth Street, turns left and travels to Jackson Street, turns left again and proceeds to Canal Boulevard, does a point turn to come up Canal Boulevard to West Seventh Street, turns right to Narrow Street, turns right to Back Street, and makes a left turn to proceed by to Martin Luther King Park, where the parade route ends.
