St. Mary’s Galatea celebrates its 40th

Shroud in secrecy, St. Mary Parish’s only all-women Carnival krewe Galatea celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The captain of Galatea, whose identity must always remain a mystery, did let a few cats of the bag for Gumbo.

“Ours is a mystic club,” she said, meaning the organization is secretive “in just about everything we do.”

The Krewe of Galatea parades on Sunday, Feb 22, at 2 p.m.

The krewe’s theme, queen and court’s identity – even the number of floats, bands and marching units on parade day – are all kept on the hush-hush until the last possible minute.

“You won’t get all the answers you’re looking for, not ever, because we’re mystic,” our unnamed krewe member said.

Galatea is willing to go on the record with a few facts, however.

A big secret: The ladies’ coveted 40th anniversary throw is a hand-decorated purse, which will be tossed from each float.

Also, the captain, queen, board members, maids and dukes have their own theme-designed cups and medallion beads.

Although the design is still under wraps, it may be worth noting that through the years the Krewe of Galatea has become known for its passion toward children.

Historians will note Adrianne Sutton Engel founded Galatea in 1968, “because she wanted to bring some culture to Morgan City,” the captain said.

“It was originally comprised of members of her sewing group,” she confided. A native New Orleanian, Engel wanted to involve the ladies in a Big Easy-style parade.

The ladies’ first floats were rented from a Houma-based club, and were barged in for the first parade.

Two years later, the women built their own floats, which are still maintained to this day. By the third year, the women their float den and club office on Chennault Street.

Julian Fernandez was the krewe’s first king and Catherine Kreider Guillory the first queen.

To this day, kings do not parade with the Galateans. He presides solely at the ball.

The only men allowed in the parade are the float drivers, law enforcement and some firemen.

The queen, too, reigns at the ball. But she also gets to ride in the parade – masked.

Galatea gets its name from Pygmalion, the mythical king of Cyprus, who is said to have had his share of troubles when it came to dating women. Legend has it that he eventually carved a statue of a maiden out of ivory to which no female could compare.

In time, Pygmalion fell madly in love with his artwork, naming it Galatea and adorning it with expensive robes, rings and jewels.

At the Festival of Aphrodite, Pygmalion was overheard complaining about his dating woes, leading Aphrodite to bring the statue to life.

Pygmalion and Galatea eventually married, according to myth.

Ironically, two Galatea monarchs wed roughly 20 years after their reign, this year’s captain confided. Both were widowed and longtime close friends. “In fact, the spouse of one of them suggested that they date before she passed on,” our informer said. “When their respective mates were alive, they were all very close friends.”