Mardi Gras 2018

MARDI GRAS 2018

Your guide to all of the parades in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes &

PREMIUM EDITION

2

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Happy Mardi Gras!

FROM OUR

KREWE to

YOURS

Thibodaux Children’s Clinic 931 North Canal Blvd.

Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: 985-387-1000

St. Joseph Children’s Clinic 22080 LA Highway 20 Vacherie, LA 70090 (225) 624-6066

New Patients Welcome • Now Accepting Medicaid

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

A People’s Choice Winner!

January 29, 2017 Championship Square, New Orleans

TRY OUR NEW GOOEY BUTTER ® S’ MORES-A-DOODLE FLAVOR

DRIVE UP KING CAKE….WITH CANNATA’S CURBSIDE!

www.cannataskingcakes.com

3

4

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Carnival 2018: 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, Feb. 13.

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, before

A rider in last year’s Shaka parade in Thibodaux waves to the crowd [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

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.

One local Mardi Gras tradition is edible. The king cake, a ring of yeasty cinnamon bread iced in purple, gold and green Carnival colors, is available at bakeries and groceries.

Some ship the desert, complete with a plastic baby.

Traditionally, the baby was hidden inside the cake, and whoever got that slice bought the next king cake.

Local Parade Schedule Jan. 28: Des Petite Lions children’s parade, 1 p.m., Golden Meadow.

Feb. 2: Hercules, 6 p.m., Houma.

Feb. 3: Tee Caillou, noon, Chauvin; Aquarius, 6:30 p.m., Houma; Le Krewe of Des T. Cajuns, noon, Larose.

Feb. 4: Hyacinthians, noon, Houma, followed

by Titans; Versailles, noon, Larose; Shaka, 1:30 p.m., Thibodaux, followed by Ambrosia, 2 p.m.

Feb. 9: Aphrodite, 6:30 p.m., Houma; Athena, 7 p.m., Golden Meadow.

Feb. 10: Mardi Gras, 6:30 p.m., Houma; Apollo, noon, Lockport; Bon Temps, 6:30 p.m., Larose; Atlantis, noon,

Golden Meadow.

Feb. 11: 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.

Feb. 12: Cleopatra, 6:30 p.m., Houma.

Feb. 13: Gheens, 11

a.m., Gheens; Houmas, noon, Houma, followed

by Kajuns; Choupic, 1 p.m., Chackbay; Ghana, 1 p.m., Thibodaux; Neptune, noon, Golden Meadow; Maasai, 2 p.m., Thibodaux; Bonne Terre, 4 p.m., Montegut. parade.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

5

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 beads and other trinkets as the Krewe of Cleopatra rolls through Houma last year. [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.

6

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Des Petite Lions 1 P.M. JAN. 28, 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, 2014 [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. 2, WEST HOUMA The largest krewe in Terrebonne and Lafourche, its 750 male members will roll 29 floats under the theme “Hercules Celebrates the Saints.”

Marching bands from H.L. Bourgeois and Ellender high and Evergreen Junior 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

HERCULES, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

and floats from the 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 right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.

Grand marshals: New Orleans Saints mascots Sir Saint

and Gumbo the Dog. King: Michael Dardar Sr. of Houma. A member of the United Houma Nation American Indian tribe, Dardar owns Polar Aut-O-Air automobile air-conditioning service.

He and his wife, Eunice, have been married 30 years and have three children -- Michael Jr., Erica and Matthew. A member of Hercules since 1999, Dardar has served in many leadership positions within the club.

Captain: Krewe founder S.P. LaRussa.

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

Tee Caillou NOON FEB. 3, CHAUVIN

In its 31st year, this children’s parade rolls includes about a dozen floats and 150 members.

Route: Rolls south along La. 56 from the Chauvin Pool to Marty J’s truck stop.

Tee-Cailou, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

come see us before the parades! great burgers & fries homemade ice cream handmade shakes ice cream sodas

e! DE e r F MEMA HO AKE! SHCHASE OF

PU E WITH OR MOR 2/28/18 $25 Expires

S. HOLL YWOOD

TE

M.-Th. 11am-9pm • fr. & sat. 11am-10pm • sun. 11am-7pm

ROU DE

EET

STR

221 s. hollywood rd. • (985) 226-2222

RA - PA

AIN TM

RK T PA

WES

WES

ROAD

7

8

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Des T-Cajuns NOON FEB. 3, LAROSE

Roughly 200 children ages 4-16 will ride in this parade, which has about two dozen floats.

This year’s theme is “A Day on the Farm.”

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, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

scheduled Jan. 20 at the Larose Civic

Center. 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. 3, WEST HOUMA The 575-member women’s krewe will roll 22 floats under the theme “Aquarius Loves Animation.” Marching bands include Oaklawn and Houma junior highs, Morgan City and St. Martin high schools and the Black Dog Drum Line. Throws will include glow bracelets and glow ball wands, foam glow sticks and krewe cups.

Tana Marcel and Nancy Carlos formed the krewe 1994 and its first parade rolled the same year with 147 members. Among its charity work, the krewe donates to

Aquarius, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

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 right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.

Queen: Susie Breaux of Houma.

A krewe member for 20 years, she will be escorted by her husband, Andre Breaux.

Ball captain: Leslie Tidwell.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

9

Hyacinthians NOON FEB. 4, WEST HOUMA

With nearly 400 members, the Ladies Carnival Club has 17 floats, this year rolling under the theme “Hyacinthians is Timeless.”

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.

For the past several years, the

Hyancinthians, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

krewe’s women members have tossed hundreds of

top hats decorated by members to spectators lining

Titans

the streets for the parade.

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: Char Herques and her husband, Tony Herques Jr., of Houma.

FEB. 4, FOLLOWS HYACINTHIANS, WEST HOUMA

Titans, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

Started in 1998, the krewe has nearly 500 men and women members and about 20 floats.

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 right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town

Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.

Grand marshal: Dr. Pedro J. Cuartas, a Houma dentist.

10

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Versailles NOON FEB. 4, LAROSE

In its 44th year, the co-ed krewe has about 150 members and a dozen floats.

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.

Versailles, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

Shaka 1:30 P.M. FEB. 4, THIBODAUX Shaka, a predominantly African-American krewe with 16 men and women members, will celebrate its 23rd anniversary this year.

The parade, with 15 floats, will roll under the theme “Arabian Night.”

Float riders throw cups, beads and coconuts. The parade will include three marching bands, one each from Donaldsonville, Baton Rouge and Morgan City.

The grand marshal, king and queen remain a secret until the krewe’s tableau, scheduled Jan. 27

Shaka, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

at Evergreen Cajun Center in Gray.

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 Martin Luther King Drive.

Captain: DeniseJones Adams of Thibodaux.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

11

Ambrosia 2 P.M. FEB. 4, THIBODAUX

Ambrosia, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

The 250-member co-ed parade, formed in 1975, will roll 12 floats under the theme the “Krewe of Ambrosia Travels in Time.”

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: John Jansen of Thibodaux.

Queen: Tonia Jansen of Thibodaux.

Tableau captain: Denise Callais of Larose.

Parade captain: Glenn Raffray.

12

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Aphrodite 6:30 P.M. FEB. 9, WEST HOUMA With 475 women members, the krewe’s 17 floats will roll under the theme “Football in the South.”

Marching bands will include Ellender, South Terrebonne and Morgan City High, Evergreen Junior High and Lacache-Montegut Middle schools.

Past queens will throw koozies.

The krewe formed in 1983 and first paraded the following year.

“We are a family friendly parade and throw a lot,” the

Aphrodite, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

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, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.

Queen: Brenda Billiot of Houma.

She and her husband Pierre Billiot Jr. have two children.

Athena 7 P.M. FEB. 9, GOLDEN MEADOW This krewe’s 288 women members will ride 17 floats under the theme “Athena Takes Over the Zoo.” Riders will wear costumes of various animals seen at the zoo.

The krewe was established in 2011.

Route: La. 1 from northern to southern town limits, roughly from Armand Street to Kelly Drive.

Queen: Laura Dubois Guidry of

Athena, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

Golden Meadow.

She and her

husband, Michael Guidry, have been

married 34 years.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

13

Apollo NOON FEB. 10, 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, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

reviewing stand, including prettiest costume and

most original float theme.

Route: Starts at

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.

VOTED BEST SWAMP TOUR!

Proud to represent the Krewe of Hyacinthians 2017 Royal Court Maid Paula Domangue

Duke Tim Domangue

125 Gator Court • Gibson, LA 70356 • 985.804.0744

OR VISIT GREENWOODGATORFARMTOURS.COM TO BOOK YOUR VISIT!

14

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Atlantis

NOON FEB. 10, GOLDEN MEADOW

Atlantis, 2017 [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 Feb. 10 under the theme “Atlantis

Rolls Thru the Decades.”

“We own and self-maintain floats that are decorated according to the theme that is assigned each year,” krewe Captain Jason Bellanger says. ”We would

like for paradegoers to appreciate and enjoy all the hard work that is put into having this parade.”

Route: La. 1 from northern to southern town limits, roughly from Armand Street to

Kelly Drive.

King: Darryl Eymard of Cut Off. Queen: Joy V. Orgeron of Cut Off. Captain: Jason Bellanger of Cut Off.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

15

Bon Temps 6:30 P.M. FEB. 10, LAROSE

Bon Temps, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

In its 13th 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.

Supplying the Bayou Region and Surrounding Areas with

ALL YOUR MARDI GRAS NEEDS FOR OVER 32 YEARS!

Cajun Enterprises #CajunMardiGras

of Houma, Inc.

127 North Van Avenue, Houma • 985.873.7231

16

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Mardi Gras 6:30 P.M. FEB. 10, EAST HOUMA

Mardi Gras, 2017 [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 350 members will roll 21 floats this year under the theme “Mardi Gras.”

Marching bands from Ellender and St. James high schools, Grand Caillou Middle and Oaklawn Junior High 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 detective Rhodes “Rodie” Sanchez , retired Iberville Parish sheriff’s detective and star of the Discovery reality-TV series “Killing Fields.”

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: Kevin and Carla Ghere have been in the krewe eight years. They are the owners of Carla Ghere’s Crab Shack in Chauvin. They have been together for 20 years and married for 15 years. They have two children, Dylan and Shelby Ghere.

Captain: S.P. LaRussa of Houma.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

17

Terreanians 12:30 P.M. FEB. 11, WEST HOUMA

Terreanians, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

The krewe, with more than 400 members, will roll about 20 floats under the theme “Wish Upon a Star.� Several local marching bands 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: Tommy Hebert.

Queen: Corinne Page.

Board president: Charles Kornegay.

Parade captain: John Poiencot.

18

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Cleophas

12:30 P.M. FEB. 11, THIBODAUX The 250-member co-ed krewe has 20 floats that will roll under the theme “Cleophas Tours Broadway.”

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.

“We are a very family-oriented krewe,” says Co-Captain Peggy Ordoyne. “We have a kiddie parade

in our float barn the day before our parade for the children of members, family and friends.

We have a kiddie king and queen who also ride along with the krewe on parade day.”

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

Cleophas, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

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

KREWE OF COMFORT

• Residential and Commercial • A/C & Heating Sales and Service • Factory Trained Techs

Celebrating 50 Years of Serving You!

1309 Saint Patrick St., Thibodaux • www.agrefrigeration.net CALL US TODAY! Thibodaux: 446-6256 or Houma: 868-4421

Nicholls’ stadium.

King: Matthew Folse of Thibodaux.

Queen: Julie Arabie of Thibodaux.

Captain: Dennis “Cowboy” Rodrigue of Thibodaux.

Co-captains: Peggy Ordoyne and Corial Folse of Thibodaux.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

19

Chronos

FOLLOWS CLEOPHAS, FEB. 11, THIBODAUX

Chronos, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

In its 64th year, this is the oldest of Lafourche Parish’s Carnival krewes. Its 200 members will roll a dozen floats through Thibodaux this year, accompanied by several marching bands.

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: Dr. Steven Marcello.

Queen: Talon Blanchard.

20

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

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.

2 P.M. FEB. 11, MONTEGUT

Montegut Children’s Parade, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

This year, 200 children will ride 10 floats under the theme “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.”

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

Nereids

6 P.M. FEB. 11, GOLDEN MEADOW In its 34th 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.

onto Cross Street, where it disbands.

King: Robert Clement, son of Jeremy and Julie Clement of Bourg.

Queen: Saige Naquin, daughter of Sterry and Wakina Naquin of Pointe-aux-Chenes.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Happy Mardi Gras from the Krewe of Rue Barrow

EET BARROW STR

MA

Rue

Ma

IN S

in

TRE

ET

21

22 JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Cleopatra

6:30 P.M. FEB .12, WEST HOUMA

Cleopatra, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

The 625-member women’s krewe is the only one in Terrebonne and Lafourche that parades in Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras.

Its 20 floats will parade under the theme “Cleopatra’s Cartoon Rewind.”

Eight marching bands include Terrebonne, H.L.

Bourgeois, Morgan City, Milby and South Plaquemines high schools, Grand Caillou Middle School, Copiah Academy and the Elevator Brass Band. Throws include doubloons, cups and light-ups.

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 right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right

onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.

Queen: Amy Kraemer of Thibodaux has been a krewe member for 30 years. She and her husband, Ronnie Kraemer, have two children, Joshua Beeson and Hayden Kraemer.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

23

Gheens

11 A.M. FEB. 13, GHEENS

Gheens, 2017 [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.

Brace Yourself its Carnival Time!

Dr. Mark LaHaye 100 Pecan Street THIBODAUX ∙ 985-446-0988

1340 W. Tunnel Blvd., Ste. 530 HOUMA

www.lahayeortho.com

24

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

Houmas

NOON FEB. 13, 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 315 members will roll 17 floats this year under the theme “It’s Mardi Gras, Y’all.” Marching bands include Vandebilt High and Houma and Oaklawn junior highs, all of Houma; McNairy Central High of Selmer, Tenn.; Copiah Academy of Gallman, Miss., Milby High of Houston; St. Helena High of Greensburg, La., Port Allen High

Houmas, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

of Port Allen, La. and Carroll High of Monroe.

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 building.

King: James J.

Petrella of Houma.

Queen: Mary Catherine Watkins of Houma.

Captain: Fred Fondren of Houma.

Kick Off The

MARDI GRAS

season with the best

KING CAKES IN TOWN!

BERTINOT’S

BEST BAKERY Home Of The Chix De Femme 996 West Tunnel Blvd. • (985) 872-6208

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

25

Kajuns

FOLLOWS HOUMAS, FEB. 13

Kajuns, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

In its 52nd year, this krewe’s roughly 350 members include children and adults, many of them families

and friends. They’ll ride about a dozen floats this 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.

Before or After the Parade!

6240 West Main Street, Houma • 985-876-1834

26

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Neptune NOON FEB. 13, GOLDEN MEADOW

Neptune, 2017 [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.

Peoples

Abdon Callais.

The king’s identity remains secret until parade day.

Route: Starts at St. Joseph Catholic

Church in Galliano and rolls south along La. 1 the southern city limits of Golden Meadow, near Kelly Drive.

DRUG STORE A tradition of caring for the community.

Giving you the power to control your medication with

Peoples Power Packs instead of your medication controlling you!

It’s a fre

e ser vic

e!

7869 Main Street, Houma • 985-873-8526 • www.PeoplesDrugStoreInc.com

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

27

Choupic 1 P.M. FEB. 13, CHACKBAY In its 35th year, this family-oriented krewe has about 150 members and 10 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, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

Ghana

1 P.M. FEB. 13, THIBODAUX

Ghana, 2017 [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.

28

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Bonne Terre 4 P.M. FEB. 13, MONTEGUT

Bonne Terre, 2017 [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

The 115-member co-ed krewe will roll 10 floats and 10 trucks under the theme “Once Upon a Nightmare.” 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: Alton Verdin Jr. of Pointeaux-Chenes has been a boat captain for LeBeouf Bros.

Towing in Bourg.

Queen: Mary Dupre Verdin of Pointe-aux-Chenes was also 1998 Montegut Children’s Parade queen.

Ball captain: Charlene Pitre of Montegut.

Parade captain: Jason Lirette of Houma.

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

Parade Routes ophas and Chronos

Thibodaux: Ambrosia, Cle . t St 2nd 1s

Bayou

St.

Lafourc he

al B lvd.

St.

E 7th St. NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY

u Ln. Bayo

g Dr.

Pelt ie r D r .

Pecan St .

Ardoy ne Dr .

er Kin

¼ mile

Marti

GATEHOUSE MEDIA

Thibodaux: Shaka and Ghana Bayo u La

St.

fourc he

Men

St.

St. NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY

THIBODAUX

Ardo yne Dr.

Rock St.

Source: maps4news.com/©

HERE

r Kin uthe

Iris St.

tin L

lvd.

al B Can

School St.

g Dr

.

Bay ou L n

.

ral Ghana end dT . Pe l t ie r Peca D r. nS t.

dubon Ave .

Ge

E 7th Narrow St. St. Cha rles St.

.

lvd .

ard

Au

St. 2nd 1st

Jackson St

om/©HERE

Mar

d.

Blv

n Luth

nal

Ca Source: maps4news.c

A u dub on Av e

.

THIBODAUX

Can al B

Narrow St.

G er ald T.

St. Charles St

.

Can

Jackson St.

Menard

Parades start and end on Audubon Ave. near Nicholls stadium

¼ mile

Shaka end

Start GATEHOUSE MEDIA

29

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

Parade Routes West Houma parades Parades will begin at Southland Mall on Park Avenue rtin Ma

Lake Houma

h Lut .

Barrow S t 90 ¼ mile GATEHOUSE MEDIA

HERE

Krewe of M

ardi Gras

Starts: 6:30

East M

ain St.

p.m. Feb.

HOUMA

pe ct

Bl vd .

Tu

e. l Av ne

Parade will disband at Ea Houma Bing st o Hall

Pr os

Source: maps4news.com/©

Parades end at Town Hall at Barrow and Bond streets

90

How ard A ve.

Parades cross Bayou Terrebonne at Hollywood Road and proceed down Main Street.

H

.

Rd od wo y l ol

n

Bl v

e. k Av Par

ing er K

d.

St. Main

30

d an Gr illo

Ca

¼ mile

u

d. tR

.

Rd

Source: m

Parade star Grand Caill ts at ou Hancock ro and ads. aps4new

s.com /©HE

fe of

M

k oc

.

Rd

nc

Ha

RE GATEHOUS E

MEDIA

10

JANUARY 27-28, 2018

MARDI GRAS GUIDE

6154 West Park Ave. Houma 985-346-6811

Bring your Krewe to Houma's Newest & Cleanest laundromat!

Open 7 Days 8am-8pm Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm Sat.-Sun Change Machine Tables/Seating w/TV and Drink Machine Drop Offs Welcome

31

Voted Best Supermarket King Cake!

There’s A Reason We Sell More

King Cakes Than Any Other Bakery.

Over 500,000 last year!

We’ve been baking real king cakes on the Gulf Coast for over 58 years. Our bakers start with our exclusive gourmet cinnamon dough — it’s a Rouses original — and hand decorate every king cake we sell.

Rouses King Cakes

KING CAKE HOTLINE: 1-800-688-5998 We ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Order Online at www.rouses.com

A Mardi Gras Tradition

Voted Best Supermarket King Cake!

Now Available!

Always Fresh!

Traditional or Filled

Rouses King Cake

6 Layer Mardi Gras

Doberge King Cake

NEW! Flavor Filled • Sweet Dough

Brioche King Cake