Parade organizers are facing less and less participation each year
The Krewe of Des Allemands held its annual Mardi Gras dance on Jan. 16 and celebrated, despite the fact that participation in the krewe’s parade is dwindling.
For the past 50 years, the Krewe of Des Allemands has held a dance and a parade in the tradition of Mardi Gras.
However, over the past few years participation in the parade has lagged and the organizers are trying desperately to keep the parade going.
“Every year we’re losing more and more people,” said Brenda Folse, one of the organizers for the krewe. “When I first started organizing the parade (in 1993), we were having between 18 and 21 floats. Last year we had 15. This year we are probably down to 13.”
The krewe is still planning to have a great parade, regardless of how small it is.
Sisters Celina Dempster, Azalie Guillot and Una Vanacour were named Grand Marshals of this year’s parade.
Arthur and Earline Schaubuht were crowned the 2010 King and Queen during the dance.
The krewe is still looking for parade participants wherever they can.
“We’re looking for anything,” Folse said.
Anyone interested in having a float in the parade will only pay $250 for a medium float, such as a wagon that’s built up, or $300 for a large float, such as an 18-wheeler. The price includes insurance for all riders – the only extra expenses will be throws, like beads and plush animals.
Marching groups, such as bands or dancers, are also welcome, Folse said.
“We’re gradually losing it and we’re trying to see if we can get it back,” she said. “We want to keep the tradition. We just don’t want to lose it.”
Anyone interested in participating in the parade can call Folse at (985) 758-2161 or attend a krewe meeting at Badeaux’s Seafood Restaurant in Des Allemands. The meetings are every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
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