Monday
will be marked by two events: the traditional Lundi Gras limousine motorcade of
the ladies of the Community Center Carnival Court in the New Roads area as well
as the third annual Courir de Lundi Gras in Upper Pointe Coupee Parish. The
limousine ride conducts the Queen and her Attendants to City Hall and a number
of private residences in and around the city as a kick-off to the Mardi Gras festivities.
Meanwhile,
at 11 a.m., the Courir de Lundi Gras, an equestrian event in the fashion of the
Southwest Louisiana courirs, will depart on its cavalcade around the Bachelor
area, culminating at the waters of scenic Raccourci-Old River.
TUESDAY - COMMUNITY
CENTER PARADE: 11 A.M.
The
Community Center Carnival parade, beloved to untold thousands as "the morning
parade," rolls this year with the entertaining theme "Unforgettable Movies
& Sitcoms." The lineup at mid-week consisted of 50 colorful floats, three
marching bands, nine military and dance units, plus other entries. Grand
Marshal of the record-breaking, history-making parade will be local educator
and operations technician Mr. Cleotha Johnigan, Jr.
The
Community Center parade will assemble in the northern part of the city, along
St. Augustine St. from Ferry Rd. (La. Hwy. 10 Business Route) to New Roads St.
and down New Roads St. as far south as 11th St. Incoming
motorists from the north along Ferry Rd. are requested by parade and law
enforcement officials not to attempt to drive into and park in the area in
which the parade is formed.
The
morning parade will begin at 11 a.m., moving south on New Roads St. to the
Community Center reviewing stand at the intersection of Parent St. for
the unmasking of the King, recognition of the Queen and Ladies of the Court and
presentation of the Keys to the City by Mayor Robert Myer. Hon. Myer, an avowed
supporter of New Roads' Mardi Gras traditions, is a great-grandson of the
revered James Mortimer "Jimmy" Boudreaux (1887-1949) who founded the morning
parade in 1922, rolling on New Roads' then-graveled streets with a single
mule-drawn float and a brass band.
Candidates
for 2013 Community Center Carnival Queen are Ms. Robin Gaines, Treshawn Lea,
Dalana Martin, Te'Keyah Morris, Brittany Parker and Anelcia Rayford . One will
be named Queen at the organization's ball Saturday evening, and the others will
attend her as Ladies of the Court.
After
pausing for the reviewing stand ceremonies at New Roads and Parent Sts., the Community
Center parade will continue south on New Roads St. as far as W. Main St., then
west along W. Main to Olinde St., north on Olinde to Napoleon St., east on
Napoleon to stately Poydras St., north on Poydras to Parent St., east on Parent
to New Roads St., and north on New Roads St. beyond 11th
St. for disbanding.
Parade-goers
in the southern part of the city are advised that the morning parade does not
reach W. Main St. until 30-45 minutes after its 11 a.m. rolling time, owing to
the pause for the reviewing stand ceremonies and the amount of time it takes
the parade units to progress through the New Roads St. throngs.
LIONS
PARADE: 2 P.M.
The New
Roads Lions Carnival parade, rolling as it has for many years as a fundraiser
for those schools which have competitive floats in the parade, will illustrate
the theme "Musical Memories." At mid-week, the lineup included 25 whimsical
floats, four marching bands, 10 military and dance units, plus numerous school
and organization Queens, comic vehicles, and other entries. Lions President
Tommy Guidry and Floats Committee Chairman Stephen P. Jewell stated that they
expect several more entries to commit their participation over the weekend.
The Lions
parade forms along Community and Mill Sts. and Park Ave. in the Community Park
section of the city. The parade will depart at 2 p.m. from the intersection of
Community and E. Main Sts., traveling west on E. Main to the club's reviewing
stand at E. Main and Court Sts. in front of the Courthouse, arriving there at
approximately 2:15 p.m. After recognition of the Dukes and Duchesses, Lions
President Tommy Guidry will unmask the King and Queen, the King will offer an
address and champagne toast, and the royal couple will receive the Keys to the
City from Mayor Myer.
This
year's Lions Carnival Dukes are George LaCour III and David Smith, while the
Duchesses are Caroline Allen, Erin Jewell and Bethany LeBlanc, all high school
seniors and children of Lions members.
The
reviewing stand ceremonies completed, the Lions parade will resume its circuit
of the downtown area, moving along E. Main and W. Main Sts. as far west as
Olinde St., north on Olinde to Napoleon St., east on Napoleon to Poydras St.,
north on Poydras to Parent St., east on Parent to New Roads St., south on New
Roads St. to E. Main St., and east along E. Main St. to disbanding on Community
St.
