The 2016 King and Queen of the Louisiana Club’s Mardi Gras Ball were crowned on Fat Tuesday. With more 400 festive subjects looking on the 2015 king and queen relinquished their crowns and jewels, and shared a drink with the incoming royalty.
In a nod to the traditional Cajun Mardi Gras, David Bradley serving as Ball Captain, decided to simulate the Mardi Gras Chicken Run. With the help of the Sweet Potato Queens who dressed up as spices, everything from salt and pepper to tabasco to the crowd favorite judging from the applause a spice called slap ya mama, a human gumbo was prepared on stage complete with two very reluctant chickens.
Sandy and Art Owens of the Village of Alhambra were excited and proud to have been selected as this year’s king and queen. Outgoing 2015 king and queen Richard and Phyllis Blanchard of the Village of Winifred were equally as enthused about their time serving.
“It is a chance to promote Louisiana culture and the celebration of Mardi Gras,” said Phyllis. “This is a celebration that is near and dear to our hearts. This is the time of year when we all miss Louisiana the most.”
“This is the party everybody wants to come to,” said Bradley. All 400 hundred tickets sold out in a week. The event was launched four years ago they quickly outgrew their original venue and now hold their balls at the Savannah Center.
With long experience in Louisiana participating in Mardi Gras events, this is Bradley’s second year planning the skit. Asked if he will do it again, he replied “if they liked what I did this year.” He especially wanted to thank the Village Sweeties Chapter of the Sweet Potato Queens for being such good sports and wearing his designed spice costumes.
Along with a different skit each year, the ball has a different theme. This year was Around the World. Each table represented a different country and many participants took their que from the country to plan their costumes.
President of the Louisiana Club since 2012 Ron Schexnider of the Village of Buttonwood but native of Hackberry, La., has seen the club grow from 35 members to 140. He has just been elected head of the club for another year. In addition to knowing how to throw a great party, the club also works hard and donates to charitable causes.
