Stanley Roy Dufrene and Sandra Bernard Dufrene recalled one of the rare times they missed the Krewe of Lul parade – they’ve only been absent from two.
They were helping their daughter move into a new house, and around the time things wrapped up Stanley noted they’d all have to plan a bit better going forward.
“I told them after that, we’ll have to check our schedules because I’m not missing any more Luling parades,” Stanley said with a laugh.
And they won’t miss this one, that much is for sure. The Dufrenes will reign as King and Queen for the Krewe of Lul parade this Saturday.
“His favorite outing is Mardi Gras,” Sandra said of her husband. “He’s in Heaven being the King. We’ve been to every bead place. Our grandkids will be riding on the float with us and we want to make sure nobody runs out of throws. It’s been a great time.”
Stanley said they didn’t expect the invitation to be royalty, “not once in a million years did we think they would ask.”
The couple will celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary later this year. Sandra has lived in Luling all of her life; Stanley since the two were wed. They have three daughters and the couple is looking forward to seeing them along with their extended family this weekend.
“We’ve been going to the parade since the three of them were very little,” said Sandra. “Our three girls and their husbands, our seven grandchildren will all be in town for it – having the whole family here together is going to be great.”
They’ve also had quite a history with the Luling parade.
The Dufrenes were part of the first marching club in the parade in 1985 – even if people didn’t know it. They were masked and anonymous, the only person knowing their identity at the time was their friend Vernon Higgins – the founder of the Krewe of Lul parade.
“We had a ball,” Stanley said.
Stanley has also been broadcasting the parade from the back of his pick up truck for years, calling out float numbers, groups and livening up the day.
That’s an idea that progressed from Stanley announcing Hahnville High School baseball games, something he began doing in the early 1990s.
“I had access to a portable PA system and started announcing their games,” he said. “So, for the Luling parade, I put it on the roof of my truck, and as the parade came on, I’d call out the number of each float, and always give a shout out to the volunteer firemen.”
Said Sandra, “Everyone loved it. And they throw so many beads when they see you up there.”
Stanley said it’s always a special day for their family and the community, and gave a nod to the people who coordinate things to make it all possible each year.
“The organization, the group of people who volunteer to make this happen – it takes so much time and effort to make sure it all goes smoothly,” Stanley said. “They aren’t paid and they do it all for the benefit of not themselves, but the people of Luling who go to the ball and go to the parade. The greatest free show on earth is Mardi Gras.”
Added Sandra, “And they really make you feel special.”
