An original member of the first Krewe of Lul back in 1978, James “Jimmy” Crisham will serve as grand marshal when the parade rolls on Saturday, riding in the back of a white El Dorado.
It’s been decades since Crisham has ridden in the Krewe of Lul, though he did so the first five years of the parade’s existence and has watched it roll by with his family and friends over the years. He said everyone he knew was excited for him when he got the news that he’d be serving as grand marshal.
“I was excited because I was one of the original people who started the parade,” Crisham said. “It has a special place in my heart.”
In fact, Crisham is responsible for the krewe’s name.
“It was supposed to be Krewe of Lu but I was writing an article for the newspaper and I wrote Krewe of Lul. It’s been like that ever since,” he said.
Crisham has lived in St. Charles Parish for 73 years and was married to the late Janie Crisham. He was two children and three grandchildren, two of which will ride with him in the parade. He worked for Monsanto for 35 years. His hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing.
“I was born in New Orleans, raised in St. Rose and then moved across the river,” he said. “At Monsanto I worked with a lot of people so I know a lot of people and I’m looking forward to seeing all of them.”
Crisham said it’s amazing to see what the little parade he helped start in 1978 has grown to over the years.
“That’s the biggest reward…seeing how far it’s come and the work and the passion the people who are doing it now are putting in,” he said. “I’m so proud of all the people over the years who carried the ball and didn’t let it drop. It means a lot to the people in the parish because, for some, that’s the only parade they go to.
“If there’s nice weather, there’s going to be tons of people out there. To see what it is today is amazing.”
The parade will begin at noon on Saturday at the intersection of Angus Drive and Paul Maillard, then continue north down Paul Maillard before turning right onto River Road, right on Sugarhouse Road and making another right onto Angus Drive.
Saturday’s parade will include 25 floats with 99 total units.
