Leading the Krewe of Des Allemands parade this year will be Grand Marshall Lupe Sweeney.
Sweeney, 78, a Brownsville, Texas native, has lived in Des Allemands for the past 38 years and was married to Des Allemands native James “Doc” Sweeney, who passed away in 2005.
Upon hearing that she was selected as the grand marshal of the 2014 parade, Sweeney said she was ready to take on the role.
“When I was asked the first thing I said was, ‘oh yes, of course!’ I thought it was an honor,” she said.
This will be her second time riding in the parade.
“I was queen of the Young at Hearts for the Council on Aging in 2009. It was very nice,” she said. “I didn’t really throw beads that day. All I did was ride in the parade, but Sunday I am going to throw beads and I don’t know how that is going to turn out. I think I am just going to take them one at a time and throw them as fast as I can into the crowd.”
With her home right on the parade route, Sweeney said she has watched the parade from her yard for a number of years along with members of her family, including her six children, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
This year, while she rides, one of her daughters will host the party they hold at her home each year during the parade.
“She will be the hostess at my house because a lot of people will go there to watch the parade,” she said. “They bring something to eat. They make jambalaya and sandwiches and we have a party.”
Sweeney will be throwing a special medallion about the size of a half dollar with and her name on it attached to a set of purple beads.
After a 21-year career with Entergy, Sweeney retired and has stayed active since.
She was the treasurer for the Hahnville High School football booster club for eight years and also volunteers for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the advisory council for the Council on Aging and T.R.I.A.D.
Sweeney will be at the front of the parade in a silver Jaguar convertible that will be driven by her son-in-law.
“I am looking forward to seeing a lot of friends and having a lot of fun,” she said.
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