The generations of Luling families keeping alive what has become the tradition of the Krewe of Lul is as much a part of this band of revelers as the parade itself.When Shirley Gaubert served as queen in 2000, it was her year – literally.
The whole family got involved and it was really fun,” she said. “We need something like that to keep the people of St. Charles Parish together and to enjoy a good day.”
Gaubert said she wanted the opportunity to serve in the nation’s Centennial year – and got it. She, along with her husband, Kenneth, reigned over the parade and being royalty suited her. They had such a good time at their gala that Gaubert welcomes the return of the Mardi Gras ball to highlight the Krewe’s 40th anniversary. It will be held 7 to 11:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Edward Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway.
The last ball was held 10 years ago, but Gaubert remembers her gala vividly.
“I loved it,” she said. “It was nice. They introduce you and you get to do the first dance, and then everybody joins you. You get all the attention. It was fun.”
Gaubert enjoyed herself so much that she has a standing request to return as queen, adding, “If they run out of people I’ll do it again.”
By 2002, A.J. “Beano” Eusea was crowned king and served with his wife, Mona, as queen. It was the Krewe’s 25th anniversary.
Eusea said his reign was simply “fantastic.”
He reveled in seeing the people he grew up with in Luling at the parade, which he had ridden in for years. Eusea treasured that time so much he has photographs of him and his kids from that time, as well as still tells how his children were thrilled over riding in the police car escort that got them “going through all the red lights.”
“I thought it was great, real fun and I knew almost all the people there,” he said of the parade-goers. “I have lived all my life in Luling and grew up watching them in the parade.”
Eusea added, “We’ve got the memories on our wall.”
Their momentos from their reign are still with him on display.
In 2008, Irvon “Cookie” Gomez and his wife, Delores, were named king and queen.
Although they didn’t have a ball that year, throwing the doubloons and seeing the crowds of so many people along the parade route left a lasting impression on Cookie.
“I enjoyed the whole family being with us,” Gomez said. “In a float behind us, our kids rode in theirs named ‘Cookie’s Crumbs.’”
Russell and Diana Lauve represent the next generation for the Krewe of Lul with Russell’s parents, Matt and Eula Lauve having served as king and queen in 1988.
Russell said their float, which started as the Tucker float and evolved to the Tucker-Lauve float, is probably the one that’s been in the parade since it’s beginning in 1978. The float theme changes year to year.
“It’s just gotten bigger and bigger every year,” Russell said. “It’s a family tradition. A lot of people know everybody in the parade and that makes it even more fun.”
In the grand tradition of the Krewe of Lul, the 2017 royalty will be announced for Mardi Gras season.
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