Maurice “Mickey” Loupe Jr. is serving a second year as grand marshal. Although Loupe called it a once in a lifetime experience last year, it turned out to be twice – so far.
Last year’s parade was cancelled when stormy weather was forecast so Loupe is keeping a close eye on the weather because he’s ready to ride in the parade. He’s even checked the Farmer’s Almanac for a weather outlook.
He doesn’t want to repeat postponing the parade so he plans to roll at noon Saturday (March 2).
“I hope the weather gets better so we can have a good time,” Loupe said.
So far, the forecast is good although the parade’s king, Vernon Higgins, has insisted the parade will roll come rain or shine this year.
Loupe’s throws will include last year’s scroll dated 2018 (with a drawing of his father and mother’s business, a combined beauty shop and furniture store called MA Loupe Furniture and Appliance that had been on River Road in Luling for years) and this year’s scroll dated 2019, about 1,000 of them total, along with some beads.
Loupe will ride with his son, Maurice Loupe III.
Being named grand marshal of the Krewe of Lul parade is a family affair for Loupe.
His parents, Maurice and Lucille Loupe, reigned as king and queen in 1985, in the eighth year of the parade, and his sister, Betty Muller, and brother-in-law, Donald Sr., also reigned as king and queen in 2007 in the parade’s 13th year.
It’s Loupe’s first time as parade royalty, although he’s ridden on many parades and been involved with the Krewe of Lul since 1977.
A resident of Luling since he was two years old, Loupe, 74, retired from Hooker and Occidental where he worked for 32 years. He enjoys hunting, fishing and gardening. He is a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Luling.
“It’s a good outing for a family to come and have a good time,” Loupe said. “Everybody just come out and have a good time.”
Lul trivia
- When was the first coronation ball? 1996 – King Charles and Queen Carol Oubre.
- What sisters reigned as Lul royalty? Queen Mae Champagne (1998) and Grand Marshal Pearl Bourgeois (2010), and Queen Billie Simoneaux (2003) and Grand Marshal Dorothy Dufresne (2017).
- What parents and children reigned as Lul royalty? King “Papa” John and Queen Jennie Buscalacchi (1978), and daughter – Grand Marshal Catherine Eusea (2002).
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