Ronnie Joseph Morgan Sr.
February 6, 2013
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Krewe of Gheens
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. (Gheens)
The laid back Krewe of Gheens allows for anyone to participate in their parade as long as they have “something to pull.” Each year the members make their own floats, without the restrictions of a particular theme. This year the 14 floats wind through the streets of Gheens with revelers tossing traditional throws, such as beads, cups and more. Deejays supply the music.
The Krewe of Gheens was formed in 1972 as a community project and now has more than 100 members.
The parade begins on Highway 654, rolls to Pecan Street, then up Oak Street and back to Highway 654 where it disbands at Company Canal.
Krewe of Houmas
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. (Houma)
The Krewe of Houmas will once again stage a procession that is the highlight of Mardi Gras in Houma. Founded in 1946, the oldest krewe in Terrebonne Parish will present a 16-float procession along Houma’s traditional westside route.
The Mardi Gras Decorators’ designed floats depict themes such as: The Caped Crusader, The Amazing Spiderman and Uncle Sam, as Houmas celebrates “It’s Only Make Believe.”
Look for 10 school bands to vie for the 2013 Best Band award featuring the Vandebilt Terrier Regiment. Other invited bands include last year’s Houmas’ Marching Band Competition Grand Champion West Feliciana High School, Carroll, E. D. White, Lake Providence, Bogalusa, Amite and H. L. Bourgeois high schools, Oaklawn Junior High School and Grand Caillou Middle School. In addition, the parade will sees the return of the Pott Folse Family Band Wagon and Universal Republic Records’ artist “Baby Bee” on the Royal Entertainment Float.
Also this year, look for our newly renovated Dukes’ Float, a tribute to the United Houmas Nation, depicting the history of our namesake.
The krewe throws emblemed mood cups, necklaces and doubloons in addition to the coveted Houmas’ medallion bead.
The 2013 Royal Court is:
King Houmas LXVII Donald Paul Kinnard
Queen Houmas LXVII Laura Anna Huber
Dukes: Rene Carreker, Bret Stephen Cuneo, Matthew Hill Hagen, Mark James Kinnard, Luke Kinnard, William Kinnard
Maids: Lerin Terez Bergeron, Laura Catherine Boudreaux, Katelyn Nicole Chauvin, Claire Elizabeth Shearer, Brittney Katherine Smith, Lindsay Marie Toups
Pages: Clayton Thomas James, Matthew Kappel, Samuel Luke Kinnard, Eleanor Jane Fondren, Grace Allen Fondren, Katherine Rosella Kinnard
The Krewe of Houmas’ parade captain is Jackie Clement and ball captain is Manuel Merlos.
This year’s tableau and ball is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Lundi Gras night.
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 Kajuns
Tuesday, Feb. 12, follows Houmas (Houma)
The Krewe of Kajuns, founded by the Houma-Terrebonne Jaycees in 1966, follows the Krewe of Houmas on Fat Tuesday.
This year, the 47-year-old krewe rolls with 375 members on 15 floats depicting the theme “Kajuns Honor Louisiana.” The Houma Shrine Club and various dance teams also participate in the festivities.
Riders throw traditional wooden nickels, along with cups, beads, koozies and more.
The 2013 Krewe of Kajuns Queen is Macie Acosta.
The krewe’s parade captain is Dustin Parkhill.
Originally known as a truck parade or the “Poor Man’s Parade,” the Krewe of Kajuns allowed local parade lovers to pay a small fee and drive their pick-up trucks in the parade and throw beads. Kajuns now consists of all double-decker floats rented from the Krewe of Hercules, but will always be lovingly referred to as “The Truck Parade.” Kajuns is still a family-oriented parade open to anyone – men, women and children.
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 ends at Town Hall.
Krewe of Neptune
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 12 p.m. (Golden Meadow)
Celebrating its 47th year, the Krewe of Neptune rolls through Golden Meadow with 11 throwing floats and the Golden Meadow Middle School’s marching band.
This all-male krewe of 105 members was originally formed by F. “Toot” Theriot, Bobby Orgeron, Leonard Miller Jr., Harris Cheramie and Norman Theriot in 1966.
The first king and queen were Mr. and Mrs. Abdon Callais.
The krewe is mystic so the identity of the king remains secret until parade day. The 2012 king was Ryan Perque.
The procession begins at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Galliano and travels south along Highway 1 to the southern city limits of Golden Meadow where it disbands.
Krewe of Ghana
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. (Thibodaux)
A parade organization rich in tradition and history, the Krewe of Ghana rolls through Thibodaux for its 41st year with 17 decorated floats and a total of 40 riding units.
The parade winds through Thibodaux accompanied by a special VIP celebrity guest.
The theme for the 2013 carnival season is “Ghana Royalty Goes to India.” The co-ed krewe keeps the identity of their king and queen secret until its tableau and ball, which is scheduled for Feb. 9 at Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium. Club members are selling tickets.
The 2012 King and Queen were:
King Kevin Thomas
Queen Lorraine Beasley
The krewe’s current officers are president Milton “Cat” Bartholomew, vice president Troy Hunt, captain Gail Bartholomew, co-captain No. 1 Gay Brown, co-captain No. 2 Lashonda Broom, treasurer Oliver Smith, financial secretary Marshellia Thompson, sergeant-at-arms Kevin Thomas, Chaplain Henderson Kennedy, Melvin Johnson, Annie Davis and Lorraine Beasley.
The Marvellettes Social Club and other interested citizens formed the krewe in 1972. Members of various organizations in the community also ride.
Ghana starts at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Iris Street, to St. Charles Street, left on Back Street, right on Narrow Street, left on East 7th Street, right on Canal Boulevard, left on North 2nd, left on Jackson Street, back to Canal Boulevard, right on East 7th, right on St. Charles Street, and finishes up with a left on Back Street.
Krewe of Choupic
Tuesday, February 12, 1 p.m. (Chackbay)
It started as a way for the local community to gather as one and the Krewe of Choupic has stayed true to its roots. Now in its 30th year, the co-ed krewe parades with approximately 150 riders on 10 floats. Last year’s theme was “Anything Goes.”
The identities of this year’s king, queen and grand marshal are kept secret until the krewe’s Mardi Gras Mambo, which is Feb. 9 at the Chackbay Fairgrounds. The krewe’s first royalty was in 1986.
The 2012 Royal Court was:
King Brodie Trosclair
Queen Marisa Landry
Grand Marshal Dorina Landry
The krewe also holds a pageant every year. The reigning pageant queens are Baby Miss Kaisley Amedee, Toddler Miss Kaydence Lapoint, Tiny Miss McKenzie Landry, Petite Miss Briannon Gros, Little Miss Mercedez Gauthier, Deb Miss Jasmin Blanchard, Junior Miss Brianna Andras, Teen Miss Taylor Boudreaux, Miss Taylor Boudreaux and Ms. Lea Ledet. The next pageant is on June 8.
The parade starts on the northern end of Highway 304 and disbands at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Chackbay.
Krewe of Hephaestus
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m. (Morgan City)
The Krewe of Hephaestus, the oldest krewe in the Morgan City area, rolls for its 53rd year.
This couples parade has marching music, festive floats and tons to throw. The krewe is mystic so the parade’s theme and royalty are kept secret until their tableau and ball, on Feb. 9.
The 2012 theme was “The Call of South Pacific.”
The 2012 Royal Court was:
King Hephaestus LII Warren S. Orlando
Queen Hephaestus LII Caitlyn Bourgeois
Dukes: Ryan Cheramie, Kenny Hebert, Will Kornegay, Trey Morice, Troy Osburn and Bryan Wiggins
Maids: Chelsea Adams, Sissy Cheramie, Darby Isham, Paige Johnson, Anne Lee Parsiola, Catherine Parsiola
Knights: Dwayne Aucoin, Ken Conrad, Greg Hamer Jr., Michael Wise
Pages: Luke A. Deloach, Gregory Hamer III, Dru E. Fraley, Hailey Janos
The Court Heralds are Taylor J. Deloach and Xavier J. Hardgroder and Gift Bearers are Jenna C. Fraley and Brock E. Theriot. Tari Bourgeois is the ball captain.
Hephaestus paraded for the first time in 1969. The krewe was founded in 1961.
The parade begins on the corner of Sixth and Sycamore streets and turns onto Marguerite Street, then to 9th Street, Clothilde Street and Victor II Boulevard. It disbands at the Municipal Auditorium.
Krewe de Bonne Terre
Tuesday, February 12, 4 p.m. (Montegut)
Krewe de Bonne Terre (“good earth”) celebrates its 41st anniversary this year with the theme “Celebrating the Seasons.” The 100-plus member, co-ed Montegut organization throws oodles of beads, trinkets and treasures from ten floats and ten trucks. The king and queen have their own special float. The parade also features the South Terrebonne High School marching band.
The 2013 Royal Court is:
King Bonne Terre XLI Kirk Dardar
Queen Bonne Terre XLI Charlene Pitre
Dukes: Brad Billiot, Seth Carreker, Adam Dardar, Matt Dardar, Raymond Dardar, Rusty Dardar, Joey Naquin, Josh Solet, Forest Travirca, Alton Verdin
Maids: Dianna Chaisson, Chelsie Dardar, Laci Dardar, Jamie Dupre, Gretchen Naquin, Autumn Pitre, Megan Roell, Christine Travirca, Mary Verdin
Pages: Kirk Dardar Jr., Kameron Verdin, Kay Dardar, Leighton Billiot
The ball captain is Shane Rodrigue, Dennis Ledet is the parade captain, Ryan Knight is the grand marshal.
The parade begins on Dolphin Drive in Montegut to La. Highway 55, south to Cypress Street, left on French Street, left on Old Oak Drive to La. Highway 55. It then turns right on La. Highway 55 to Dolphin Drive where it disbands at the intersection of Dolphin Drive and Cross Street.
King Houmas LXVII Donald Paul Kinnard
Queen Houmas LXVII Laura Anna Huber
Queen Kajuns Macie Acosta
King Neptune (2012) Ryan Perque
Queen and King Ghana (2012) Lorraine Beasley and Kevin Thomas
Queen and King Choupic (2012) Marisa Landry and Brodie Trosclair
King Hephaestus (2012) LII Warren S. Orlando
Queen Hephaestus (2012) LII Caitlyn Bourgeois
King Bonne Terre XLI Kirk Dardar
Queen Bonne Terre XLI Charlene Pitre
