Trudy Babineaux Tastet and Darlene Zeringue are ready to lead the Krewe of Des Allemands Sunday as grand marshals – the two have known one another for many years, and both said the honor came as a great and pleasant surprise.
Zeringue said she and her family have lived in Des Allemands and enjoyed the annual parade all her life, making her especially proud to be able to represent her hometown as grand marshal.
She was out for dinner in Paradis when the Krewe committee surprised her, along with her nephew who came down from Baton Rouge for the special occasion.
“They came and snuck around and asked me,” said Zeringue. “They were looking at me funny and I said, ‘I know what y’all want,’” she said. “I thought at first someone was playing a trick on me, and ‘Well, if you know what we want, will you do it?’ And I said I’ll do it.”
It isn’t Zeringue’s first ride in the parade, but the last time was several years ago.
“We did it for a long time, and then my aunt passed away. She was one of the ones who really loved it,” said Zeringue. “We stopped after that. This is the first time in quite awhile for me.”
But she’s continued attending for years, noting she especially loves how it brings people together.
“It’s the one time of the year you see everybody get along. There’s so much hate in the world, and this is just a wonderful day where everyone enjoys their friends and their people, their neighbors,” Zeringue said.
Zeringue is retired after 33 years of working with First American Bank. She’s looking forward to seeing her family and friends out on the route.
Tastet said she was visiting her mother along with her friends – who also happened to be Krewe members, – and that’s when they made the special request.
“Surely, that was the last thing I expected,” said Tastet, of Bayou Gauche. “But it’s quite an honor, so I said of course, I’d be happy to.”
Tastet has been going to the parade as long as she can remember.
“I remember going when I was a little girl,” she said. “Over the years, there were times where life got in the way, but I pretty much make it every year now with my family.”
Tastet said she’ll have her four grandchildren on the float with her and that her daughters and their husbands will be pulling the float in their truck.
“I’m just excited for it. It’s a fun, family time,” Tastet said. “The camaraderie, it all just makes for a good day.”
Tastet moved to Paradis when she got married, but is a native of Des Allemands.
She worked in real estate for years – her family founded Dynamic Real Estate. She retired from the business in 2000.
She’s got plenty of throws for those out on the route Sunday.
“I’m ready to roll,” Tastet said. “I’ve got some signature koozies I’ll be handing out … I’m really looking forward to it, it should be a lot of fun.”
