Gueydan Mardi Gras Court received by a packed house

GUEYDAN - With everything in place the royal court of the Krewe da la Chambre Royale walked out to an exhilarated standing room only crowd during the Krewe’s fourteenth annual Mardi Gras Ball held Saturday, February 15 at the Gueydan Civic Center.
The Gueydan Civic Center resembled the crowed streets of New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season, theme “A Mardi Gras Masquerade.
Crowned King Jean Pierre Gueydan and Queen Amalie Gueydan XIV were Timothy LeBlanc and Judy LeBlanc of Gueydan.
Krewe Co-Captain Nadine Leprete welcomed guests and introduced the two emcees for the evening, Timmie Melancon and Angelle’ Venissat as the roving reports.
After setting the scene as watching Mardi Gras parades the emcees introduced the royal court.
The first parade to enter the building were the old fashion Mardi Gras runners chasing two little chickens. Playing the part of the chickens were Joseph Langlinais and Joshua Mayer. Portraying the runners were, Kendra and Emily Lacomb, Samantha Dupree, and Kade Guillory.
Next came Le Capitaine, played by Scott LaFosse followed by his partner Jessica Fluitt.
“Back to the streets,” Venissat announced the next parade. Caitlyn Abshire, Madison Lepretre, Samantha David, Olivia Richard, and Holly Richard came dancing in as The Mardi Gras Indians.
With great flare, Dustin Gaspard, appeared making his way down the streets of New Orleans as a Mardi Gras Indian Chief dressed in Native American ceremonial apparel. He was followed by Indian Squaw Kristi Gaspard who proudly awed the guests with her magnificent costume and head dress.
Next on the parade route were the faces of the Bacchus Parade portrayed by Spencer Broussard, Blair Broussard and Cheyenne Lacomb.
Following his revelers was the Greek God Stacy Broussard, followed by Brandy Broussard as Bacchus’ muse.
The fourth Krewe to make it through New Orleans was the Krewe of Zulu. Entertaining were duchesses of Zulu, Lauren Richard, Alexis, Anna Breaux, Emma Gaspard and Abbie Zaunbrecher.
Cheryl Thackston wowed the crowd as an exquisite and vivacious Mistress of Fun with partner Ben Wall following and bringing the crowd to their feet with applause as the Minister of Fun.
The Krewe of Rex’s rolled by with royal jesters, Randy Lepretre, Matthew Istre and Nick Langlisnais. The lovely and beautiful Queen of Rex, Melanie Hensgens made her way through the crowd followed by the Monarch of Merriment himself, the King of Carnival, Herbert Ehrhardt.
For the grand finale of the evening, Gueydan’s own royalty paraded down the center of the Gueydan Civic Center. Starting with the Krewe de la Chambre Royale’s pages, dressed in beautiful golden fabric Ella Grace Gaspard and Addison Blake Corville carried the Krewe’s crest followed by the royal junior attendants Dillon Dupree and Rebekah Lepretre.
The packed house came to their feet as the end of the precession neared. Entering to the music of Van Morrison, and reigning over the Ball was Queen Amelia-Judy LeBlanc followed by her husband King Jean Pierre - Timothy LeBlanc. The couple lead the royal court in a formal precession as the crowd cheered and applauded.
The evening soon became a celebration with friends, family and community coming together for and evening of masquerade, formal dress and merry making.
For information on how to join the Krewe de la Chambre Royale contact Judy LeBlanc.