MARDI GRAS 2019
Your guide to all of the parades in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes &
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MARDI GRAS GUIDE
A float rider tosses trinkets to the crowds lining the streets for last year’s Krewe of Hyacinthians parade in Houma. [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
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(985) 879-3574 (985) 872-2900 • www.cannatas.com
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Carnival 2019: How we got here Mardi Gras, “the greatest free show on Earth,” is here again, with parades in Terrebonne and Lafourche just around the corner. Newcomers and locals alike will find themselves in the midst of the biggest celebration of Carnival outside greater New Orleans. An estimated 40,00050,000 people will line the streets for Houma’s biggest parades, clamoring for beads and other trinkets tossed by float riders. Some 30 parades are scheduled to roll through Fat Tuesday, March 5. The annual celebration originated in the calendar of the predominate Catholic Church. It was the last opportunity among the faithful to dance, party, feast and drink, with little restraint,
Danette Bergeron, a maid in Houma’s Krewe of Aphrodite, celebrates during the krewe’s 2019 tableau Feb. 2 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
before the restrictions of the 40-day Lenten season that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter. The local Carnival tradition has roots well into the 1800s, when masked balls were common. Parades are mentioned in Houma and Thibodaux newspapers before the 1920s. In 1946, a group of Houma men planned the first parade of the Krewe of Houmas, which rolled on
Fat Tuesday 1947. In the years since, a succession of krewes joined the celebration. That 1947 parade featured a convertible bearing farmer Filhuacon “Tecon” Duplantis, whose irregular homemade parades, beginning in the 1920s, were credited with keeping the tradition alive. Tecon’s unofficial assemblies of decorated cane wagons and farm animals are not well documented,
but they reportedly grew from a few people on foot to some 200 floats drawn by oxen and horses. In 1955, the Krewe of Chronos of Thibodaux, launched its first modern parade, with a nod to the very first Thibodaux parade, reportedly in 1914, though that date has not been firmly established. Tableaus, elaborate balls where krewes introduce their royalty, began earlier this month and will continue through Mardi Gras. But the celebration really kicks into high gear when the Krewe of Hercules hits the streets of Houma, this year on Feb. 22. Get ready, Houma-Thibodaux. Carnival 2019 is about to get loud.
Local Parade Schedule Feb. 17: Des Petite Lions children’s parade, 1 p.m., Golden Meadow. Feb. 22: Hercules, 6 p.m., Houma. Feb. 23: Tee Caillou, noon, Chauvin; Aquarius, 6:30 p.m., Houma; Le Krewe of Des T. Cajuns, noon, Larose. Feb. 24: Hyacinthians, noon, Houma, followed
by Titans; Versailles, noon, Larose; Shaka, 12:30 p.m., Thibodaux, followed by Ambrosia, 2 p.m. March 1: Aphrodite, 6:30 p.m., Houma; Athena, 7 p.m., Golden Meadow. March 2: Mardi Gras, 6:30 p.m., Houma; Apollo, noon, Lockport; Bon Temps, 6:30 p.m.,
Larose; Atlantis, noon, Golden Meadow. March 3: Terreanians, 12:30 p.m., Houma; Montegut Children’s Parade, 2 p.m., Montegut; Cleophas, 12:30 p.m., Thibodaux, followed by Chronos at 1:30 p.m.; Nereids, 6 p.m., Golden Meadow. March 4: Cleopatra, 6:30 p.m., Houma.
March 5: Bonne Terre, 11 a.m., Montegut; Gheens, 11 a.m., Gheens; Houmas, 1pm, Houma, followed by Kajuns; Choupic, 1 p.m., Chackbay; Ghana, 1 p.m., Thibodaux; Neptune, noon, Golden Meadow.
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Top 5 tips for a happy Mardi Gras Whether you’re new to the celebration a seasoned veteran, here are a few suggestions to help you get the most enjoyment out of Houma-Thibodaux’s Mardi Gras parades: 1. TAKE THE RIGHT STUFF Things to pack: Snacks and drinks, maybe a sandwich. Unless you want to stand for two or three hours, bring a folding chair. Dress for the weather; wear sunscreen and sunglasses. A bag to collect throws. Leave at home: Pets. Glass bottles, firecrackers, silly string and other similar gags are illegal at parades. 2. PICK THE RIGHT SPOT Best spots in Houma: • To catch a parade twice or get home early, stake out a spot along Park Avenue near Southland Mall, the starting point for west-Houma parades. • No Booze:area around Good Earth Transit’s main terminal at Barataria Avenue and Main Street is designated an alcohol-, drugand tobacco-free zone.
Spectators raise their arms in hopes of catching some beads as the Krewe of Kajuns parades through Houma last Mardi Gras. [The Courier and Daily Comet/ File]
• Family friendly Areas near Southland Mall and the intersections of Columbus and Main streets. Best spots in Thibodaux: • To catch a parade twice or to a second parade:Audubon Avenue along the Nicholls State University campus. • Family-Friendly time:Neighborhoods along Menard Street, Audubon Avenue and Jackson Street. 3. WANT BEADS? To fill up your grocery bags with throws: • Bring a small, preferably cute kid to the parade. Krewe members love to throw awesome toys, sparkly
beads and loads of candy to children. If you do not bring a child, stand as far away as possible from anyone with children. You will catch nothing. • Make creative signs or targets, buckets and hoops so riders notice you — and take aim. When all else fails, shout the trusted phrase “Throw me something mister.” • Wear something ridiculous. A purple wig, ugly sunglasses, costumes, anything that gets you noticed. 4. STAY SAFE • Stay alert and be ready to duck or cover your head or shield your kids. Over-enthusiastic float riders sometimes throw
trinkets harder than intended. • Leave large purses and bags and expensive jewelry at home. • Carry ID, credit cards and cash in front pockets. • Watch your children. Before the parade, discuss the importance of staying close to you. In case children do get lost, make sure each knows parents’ full names, address and phone number; tell them to look for police; and make careful notes of what they’re wearing so you can offer a detailed description to police. • Do not run into the street after floats or throws. • Lock your vehicle doors when parking. • Use a designated driver if you will be drinking. 5. What to do with beads and trinkets. Donate to local organizations such as The Haven, Terrebonn and Lafourche ARC and Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. TARC has a wagon behind most Houma parades to collect beads for recycling.
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Des Petite Lions 1 P.M. FEB. 17, GOLDEN MEADOW
The krewe, with about 125 children and their parents, will hold its 12th annual parade this year. It will include nearly 20 floats. “I started it with my children, my two boys,” Director Shannon Leger told The Courier and Daily Comet in 2014. “They’re grown now. I think it’s important to
Des Petite Lions, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
continue because in our high tech world,
where everyone is connected to
their phones and devices, they need activities like this to keep them connected to their families. It’s important for kids to have social contact, and this is a great way to do that.” Route: The parade rolls south along La. 1 from Armand Street to South Bayou Drive.
Hercules
6 P.M. FEB. 22, WEST HOUMA The largest krewe in Terrebonne and Lafourche, its 750 male members will roll 29 floats in its 35th anniversary under the theme “Hercules Jazzin’ It Up.” Marching bands from Terrebonne, H.L. Bourgeois, Istrouma and Ellender High will participate. Riders toss beads, cups and other trinkets representing the theme of each of their floats. The krewe, formed in 1983, has a unique relationship with Kern Studios in New Orleans. Hercules features the theme and giant figures and floats from the
HERCULES, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
previous year’s Bacchus and Endymion parades, some of the largest in New
Orleans’ Carnival celebration. Parade route: Traditional west
Houma route starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street. Grand marshal: Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams. King: Randy Landry of Houma. He is the District Manager for Supreme Services in Houma. He and his wife have owned Budget Blinds for the past 13 years. Captain: Krewe founder S.P. LaRussa.
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Tee Caillou NOON FEB. 23, CHAUVIN
Tee-Cailou, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
In its 32nd year, this children’s parade rolls includes about a dozen floats and
150 members. Grand marshall: Michelle Kurtz. King: Reed DeRoche.
Queen: Logan Lirette. Captain: Austin Boudreaux. Route: Rolls
south along La. 56 from the Chauvin Pool to Marty J’s truck stop.
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Des T-Cajuns NOON FEB. 23, LAROSE
Roughly 200 children ages 4-16 will ride in this parade, which has about two dozen floats. This year’s theme is “When Dinosaurs Ruled.” Children are encouraged to join in building and decorating the floats. The group selects its king, queen, dukes and maids in a random drawing at its ball,
Des T-Cajuns, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
scheduled Feb. 16 at the Holy Rosary
Cafeteria. Admission is a covered
dish food item. Wade and Mary Dufrene started the parade in 1998 with their daughters, Kellie and Jill. Route: Starts at the Larose Civic Center and rolls up 5th Street. It crosses Bayou Lafourche at the Larose Pontoon Bridge and heads south along La. 1, disbanding at the Rite-Aid parking lot.
Aquarius 6:30 P.M. FEB. 23, WEST HOUMA The 680-member women’s krewe will roll 28 floats under the theme “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Marching bands include Houma Jr. High, Central Lafourche High, Oaklawn Jr. High, Morgan City High, Destrehan High, Evergreen Jr. High and Scotlandville Magnet High. Throws will include Aquarius Bead, Aquarius rings, Aquarius cups, koozies, doubloons, glow sticks and coin purses. Tana Marcel and Nancy Carlos formed the krewe 1994 and its first parade rolled the same year with 147
Aquarius, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
members. Among its charity work, the krewe donates to Toys for Tots, the local food bank and will host an Easter Extravaganza at Houma’s Courhouse Square. “Aquarius works
very hard all year long preparing for the main attraction of parading down the streets of Houma and giving back to the community,” the krewe says. “Watching the children waving
their hands and their smiling faces yelling throw me something is a pure delight to the riders.” Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street. Queen: Shairee Jones of Morgan City. A krewe member for 3 years, she will be escorted by her husband, Jovian D. Jones. Ball captain: Leslie Tidwell.
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Hyacinthians NOON FEB. 24, WEST HOUMA
With over 400 members, the Ladies Carnival Club has 21 floats, this year rolling under the theme “Hyacinthians Salutes Broadway Musicals.” Formed in 1951, the krewe staged its first parade the following year. The identities of the queen and king, Gardeline Sharp and Conrad Lirette, were revealed at parade time. Decorated top
Hyancinthians, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
hats, hula hoops, frisbees, moon pies,
cotton candy, doubloons, footballs
Titans
and specialty beads will be thrown from 17 throw floats. Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street. Queen and King: Shirley Crowley and Wade Landry of Houma.
FEB. 24, FOLLOWS HYACINTHIANS, WEST HOUMA
Titans, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
Started in 2008, the krewe has over 500 men and women members and about 20 floats. The krewe will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the theme “10
Years of Rollin’ and Throwin’.” Route: The krewe follows immediately after the Krewe of Hyacinthians along west Houma’s parade route. It starts at Southland
Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at
Bond Street. Grand marshal: Homer McGee, founder of Houma Float Rental. Captain: Shannon Lagendyk.
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Versailles NOON FEB. 24, LAROSE
In its 46th year, the co-ed krewe has about 200 members and 18 floats with the theme “the Games People Play.” The South Lafourche High School and Larose Cut Off Junior High bands will march. Route: Starts at the Larose Civic Center and rolls up Fifth St. It crosses Bayou Lafourche at
Versailles, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
the Larose Pontoon Bridge and heads south along La. 1, disbanding at Cut
Off Elementary School. King and Queen: Darby and Nickole
Chiasson. Darby is an optometrist who owns Advanced Eye Institute in Cut Off and has been in practice since 1999. Nickole teaches tap and ballet at DanceWorks Center in Cut Off. Both are parishioners at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Larose. Captain: Elmo “Jay” Pitre III.
Shaka 1:30 P.M. FEB. 24, THIBODAUX Shaka, a predominantly African-American krewe with 16 men and women members, will celebrate its 24th anniversary this year. The parade, with 20 floats, will roll under the theme “Krewe of Shaka travels to Rio de Janeiro.” Float riders throw cups, beads and coconuts. The parade will include four marching bands from surrounding parishes. The grand marshal, king and queen remain a secret until the krewe’s tableau, scheduled for Feb. 15 at Evergreen
Shaka, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
Cajun Center in Gray. Parade route: Starting at Nicholls State University, traveling on Audubon Ave., left onto Menard Street,
right on Canal Blvd., left onto W. Second Street, merge onto La. 1, left onto Jackson St., make a U-turn at the median crossover of Jackson and
Canal Blvd., right onto Gerald T. Peltier. The parade will finish at Martin Luther King Park. Captain: DeniseJones Adams of Thibodaux.
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Ambrosia 2 P.M. FEB. 24, THIBODAUX
Ambrosia, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
The co-ed parade, formed in 1975, will roll 14 floats. Riders will toss mugs and medallion beads bearing the krewe logo. Route: Starts on Audubon Ave near the Nicholls State University stadium. It heads left onto Menard Street, then right onto Canal Boulevard. It turns left onto West 2nd Street then merges onto La. 1 before turning left onto Jackson Street. It makes a U-turn at the first
median crossover on Canal Boulevard before turning right onto Gerald T. Peltier Drive. It will turn onto Bayou Lane then right back onto Menard Street and right on Audubon Avenue before finishing at Nicholls’ stadium. King: Joshua Phillips of Labadieville. Queen: Dawn Usea of Thibodaux. Parade captain: Glenn Raffray of Schriever.
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Aphrodite 6:30 P.M. MARCH 1, WEST HOUMA With over 500 women members, the krewe’s 20 floats will roll under the theme “Music Around the World.” Marching bands will include H.L. Bourgeois High School, La Cache Middle School, Ellender High School, South Terrebonne High School and Morgan City High School. The krewe, which formed in 1983 and first paraded the following year will throw court cups, doubloons, “lots of light-up stuff” and balls.
Aphrodite, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
“We are a family friendly parade and throw a lot,” the krewe says. Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland
Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street,
Athena 7 P.M. MARCH 1, GOLDEN MEADOW This krewe’s 288 women members will ride over a dozen floats. The krewe was established in 2011. Route: La. 1 from northern to southern town limits, roughly from Armand Street to Kelly Drive.
Athena, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street. Queen: Dawn Plaisance of Houma.
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Apollo NOON MARCH 2, LOCKPORT The co-ed krewe was established in 1963, with the first parade in 1964. Richard Steven served as the krewe’s first grand marshal in 1967, with Xavier Chauvin as Apollo’s first king. The first throws and collector doubloons were issued in 1970. The krewe has about 150 members and 20 floats, with the captain of each choosing a theme. The krewe issues several awards at the parade
Apollo, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
reviewing stand, including prettiest costume and
most original float theme. Route: Starts at
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Church and Eighth streets. Heads down Church, turns left on 10th Street, left on Lafourche Street and left on Second Street. It turns left on Justin Street, left on Crescent Avenue, right on Barataria Street, right on Main Street, right on Elizabeth Street and right on Crescent Avenue. It ends at Vacherie Street, just past the Town Hall.
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Atlantis
NOON MARCH 2, GOLDEN MEADOW
Atlantis, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
Atlantis is one of the first parades to roll in Golden Meadow, starting in 1984. The parade, with 70 men and women members and seven floats, will start at
noon March 2 under the theme “Atlantis Visits Disney.” “We would like for paradegoers to appreciate and enjoy all the hard work that is put into having this parade,”
the krewe says. Route: La. 1 from northern to southern town limits, roughly from Armand Street to Kelly Drive. King: Dustin Rivet of Lockport.
Queen: Lucresha Dubois of Abbeville. Captain: Jason Bellanger of Cut Off.
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Bon Temps 6:30 P.M. MARCH 2, LAROSE
Bon Temps, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
In its 14th year, the co-ed krewe has about 200 members
and 10 floats. Route: The parade starts at the
new Larose Bridge at La. 657 and heads south along La. 1 to
La. 3161, near the Cajun Pecan House
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Mardi Gras 6:30 P.M. MARCH 2, EAST HOUMA
Mardi Gras, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
Mardi Gras is the only krewe that parades in east Houma, formerly home to several parades. The co-ed krewe’s over 300 members will roll 20 floats this year under the theme “Mardi Gras.” Marching bands from Ellender High School, Oaklawn Junior High School and Grand Caillou Middle School will participate. The krewe was started in 1994 by current Captain S.P. LaRussa, former Parish President Barry Bonvillain,
businessman Arthur Breaux and the late Terrebonne Parish Councilman J.B. Breaux. All are natives of east Houma and wanted to see parades continue there after the city’s twin spans were completed. Unable to cross the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway as they did when the former East Main and West Park bridges were in place, other krewes moved to west Houma. Grand marshal: Retired NFL player Jay Pennison, who played for the
Houston Oilers as well as the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL. An alumnus of South Terrebonne High School and Nicholls State University, Pennison started five years on arguably one of the best offensive lines in the 1980s. The Oilers went to the playoffs four out of the five years that Pennison was with the team. Parade route: Starts on Grand Caillou Road at Hancock Road, near Houma-Terrebonne Airport entrance. Right onto Tunnel
Boulevard and Howard Avenue. Left onto East Main Street, left onto Grand Caillou Road, ending at East Houma Bingo Hall. King and queen: Joseph and Wanda Callaway of Houma. Together they run their family business, Callaway’s Creations, and are deacon and deaconess of the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church. They have been members of the krewe for four years. Captain: S.P. LaRussa of Houma.
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Terreanians 12:30 P.M. MARCH 3, WEST HOUMA
Terreanians, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
The krewe, with more than 450 members, will roll about 20 floats under the theme “Terreanians Remembers Childhood Classics.� Marching bands from Vandebilt Catholic High
School, Terrebonne High School, South Terrebonne High School, Franklin High School, Evergreen Junior High, and Houma Junior High will participate. Formed in 1950, the all-male krewe
had 100 members when it paraded the following year. Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main
Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street. King: Rory Dupre of Houma. Captain: Charles Kornegay
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Cleophas
12:30 P.M. MARCH 3, THIBODAUX The 230-member co-ed krewe has about two dozen floats. The Carnival club started in 1956 as an allmale krewe but stopped parading in the mid-1960s. It reorganized in 1971 and has rolled ever since as one of Lafourche Parish’s largest parades. Route: Starts on Audubon Ave. near the Nicholls State University stadium. It heads left onto Menard Street, then right onto Canal Blvd. It turns left
onto W. Second Street then merges onto La. 1 before turning left onto Jackson St. It makes a U-turn at the old railroad tracks on Canal Blvd. before turning right onto Menard Street and right on Audubon Avenue before finishing at Nicholls’ stadium. King: David Gauthreaux of Thibodaux. Queen: Amanda “Nook” Molaison of Thibodaux. Captain: Corial Folse of Thibodaux, co-captains Peggy
Cleophas, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
Ordoyne and Craig Dufrene.
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Chronos
FOLLOWS CLEOPHAS, MARCH 3, THIBODAUX
Chronos, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
In its 65th year, this is the oldest of Lafourche Parish’s Carnival krewes. Its 200 members will roll 14 floats through Thibodaux this year, accompanied by the Thibodaux High marching band, throwing footballs, beads, frisbees and
cups. The theme of the parade is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Route: Starts on Audubon Ave near the Nicholls State University stadium. It heads left onto Menard Street, then right onto Canal Boulevard. It turns left onto West 2nd
Street then merges onto La. 1 before turning left onto Jackson Street. It makes a U-turn at the first median crossover on Canal Boulevard before turning right onto Gerald T. Peltier Drive. It will turn onto Bayou Lane then right back onto
Menard Street and right on Audubon, Avenue ending at Nicholls’ stadium. King: Kirk Martin Champagne of Thibodaux. Queen: Olivia Bernadette Peltier of Thibodaux. Captain: Ryan Myhand.
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Montegut Children’s Parade The krewe, started in 1946, is one of the oldest in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. “It was established by parents in the Montegut and Pointe-aux-Chenes area for children,” the club says. “Bourg was added many years later. Children living in the local areas can experience the love of Mardi Gras from a rider’s perspective.“ Parents and kids, some who volunteer and receive community service hours from schools, work to decorate the floats, which are also used on Mardi Gras by the Krewe of Bonne Terre in Montegut. This year, 150
2 P.M. MARCH 3, MONTEGUT
Montegut Children’s Parade, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
children will ride 10 floats under the theme “Countries Around the World,” and throw beads, stuffed animals and flowers. The Lacache Middle School band will march. Route: Starts on Cross Street in front of Montegut
Middle School, left on Dolphin Drive then right onto La. 55. It turns left onto Cypress Street, left onto Mildred Street, left onto Oak Street and right onto La. 55. It then turns right onto Dolphin Street and right onto Cross Street, where it disbands.
King: Rodney L. Verdin of Montegut, son of Rodney and Mary Verdin. Queen: Emma Falgout of Bourg, daughter of Rhett Falgout and Nikki Naquin Ball Captains: Blaize Brunet and Baylee Defelice.
Nereids
6 P.M. MARCH 3, GOLDEN MEADOW In its 35th year, Nereids was the first all-women’s krewe in Lafourche Parish. It has about 200 members who ride a dozen lighted floats. Route: La. 1 from northern to southern town limits, roughly from Armand Street to Kelly Drive. Nereids, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
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Happy Mardi Gras from the Krewe of Rue Barrow
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Cleopatra
6:30 P.M. MARCH 4, WEST HOUMA
Cleopatra, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
The 670-member women’s krewe is the only one in Terrebonne and Lafourche that parades in Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras. Its 21 floats will parade under the theme “Cleopatra Dreams Big.” Seven marching bands include Terrebonne, H.L. Bourgeois, Morgan City, St.
James and South Plaquemines high schools, and Oaklawn and Houma junior high schools. Throws include doubloons, footballs, doubloons and koozies. The krewe formed in 1987 and paraded the next year. It’s the Houma-Thibodaux area’s largest women’s krewe,
using floats from Metairie’s Caesar parade. Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.
Queen: Karla Yelverton of Houma. A member of the krewe for 25 years, Yelverton serves as vice-president and sits on the executive board. Captain: Liz Trosclair of Houma.
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Gheens
11 A.M. MARCH 5, GHEENS
Gheens, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
This parade started as a country affair in the early 1970s. It included a tradition in which costumed revelers put on face paint and chased people through
the community on Mardi Gras. Some of that still takes place, but the celebration of family and friends has evolved into a more traditional parade that
includes about 100 riders and a dozen homemade floats. Route: Starts at La. 654 about two blocks before Pecan Street. Turns right onto Pecan then left up Oak Street and
right onto La. 654, ending at Company Canal. Board president: Beth Champagne. Captain: Alicia Arabie.
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Houmas
1P.M. MARCH 5, WEST HOUMA Formed in 1946, Houmas is the oldest krewe in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. It’s named after the area’s first settlers and the city’s namesake, the Houma Indians. The king’s toast in downtown Houma is a highlight of the city’s Fat Tuesday celebration. The men’s krewe’s 325 members will roll 18 floats this year under the theme “Mardi Gras Mambo.” The Pride of Nicholls Marching Band will be making their debut in the parade, along with invited bands from Vandebilt Catholic, Ellender, East Feliciana, St. Helena CCA, West St. Mary, West Feliciana and Evergreen high schools and Oaklawn Junior High School and Grand Caillou Middle School. The krewe throws emblemed necklaces and doubloons in addition to the Houmas’ medallion bead. Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and
Houmas, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street,
ending at the Town Hall building. King: Dane Ledet Jr. of Houma. Queen: Katherine
Olivia Prentice of Houma. Captain: Jackie Clement of Houma.
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Kajuns
FOLLOWS HOUMAS, MARCH 5
Kajuns, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
In its 53rd year, this krewe’s roughly 375 members include children and adults, many of them families and friends. They’ll ride
17 floats this year with the theme, “Kajuns Spice up Nawlins.” Route: Traditional west Houma route starts at Southland
Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street,
ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street. Captain: Mona Premeaux of Houma.
Before or After the Parade! 6240 West Main Street, Houma • 985-876-1834
26
FEBRUARY 20, 2019
MARDI GRAS GUIDE
Neptune NOON MARCH 5, GOLDEN MEADOW
Neptune, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
This all-male krewe has about 100 members and a dozen floats. The Carnival club was started in 1966
by Bobby Orgeron, F. “Toot” Theriot, Leonard Miller Jr., Harris Cheramie and Norman Theriot. The krewe’s
first king and queen were Mr. and Mrs. Abdon Callais. The king’s identity remains secret until parade day.
Route: Starts at St. Joseph Church in Galliano and rolls south along La. 1 to the city limits of Golden Meadow.
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MARDI GRAS GUIDE
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Choupic 1 P.M. MARCH 5, CHACKBAY In its 36th year, this family-oriented krewe has about 150 members and six floats. Route: The parade starts on the north end of La. 304, ending a few miles later at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church. Choupic, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
Ghana
1 P.M. MARCH 5, THIBODAUX
Ghana, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
This predominantly African-American krewe was formed in 1972 by members of the Marvalettes
Social Club and others. The krewe has about 10 floats. Parade route: Martin Luther King Drive to School
Street and St. Charles Street. Turns onto East Fifth Street and Canal Boulevard, heading through
downtown. Heads down Jackson Street and Gerald T. Peltier Drive to end at Goode Street.
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MARDI GRAS GUIDE
Bonne Terre 11 A.M. MARCH 5, MONTEGUT
Bonne Terre, 2018 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]
The co-ed krewe will roll 10 floats under the theme “Roll the Dice, Las Vegas Nights.” The South Terrebonne High marching band will participate. In its 46th year, the parade is a Mardi Gras tradition for residents
of Montegut and surrounding areas. “Our paradegoers should enjoy a fun, laid-back, family-oriented experience,” the krewe says. Route: Starts on Dolphin Drive near Cross Street and heads to La. 55. It
then rolls south to Cypress Street, left on Mildred Street, left on Old Oak Drive, right onto La. 55 and right onto Dolphin Drive to Cross Street, where it disbands. King: Jeff “Jay” Plaisance, Jr. of Montegut.
Queen: Andrea Plaisance of Montegut. Ball captain: Charlene Pitre of Montegut. Parade captain: Jason Lirette of Houma.
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MARDI GRAS GUIDE
Parade Routes ophas and Chronos
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Start GATEHOUSE MEDIA
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MARDI GRAS GUIDE
FEBRUARY 20, 2019
Parade Routes West Houma parades Parades will begin at Southland Mall on Park Avenue rtin Ma
Lake Houma
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Parades end at Town Hall at Barrow and Bond streets
90
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FEBRUARY 20, 2019
MARDI GRAS GUIDE
6154 West Park Ave. Houma 985-346-6811 BRSO@att.net
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