Colorful was the word of the night Jan. 28 when Colors of Carnaval was the theme for the Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras Ball at North Park Recreation Center in Denham Springs.
Guests were greeted with the bright vibrant colors of Carnaval. Palm trees, flowers and butterflies were all abundant. Each krewe picked a different color and decorated their tables using that color. The room was filled with visions of the tropics.
Outgoing royalty were King Adam Barclay and Queen Emily Barclay. Crowned as the 2023 king and queen were Buddy Pepper and Wendy Maxwell.
Pepper has been a krewe member for more than 20 years, serving as a float captain for Krewe of Mystic Summer and as krewe, parade and float captain for the Krewe of Khaos. He also served on the board of directors as president for the Krewe of Denham Springs.
Pepper has worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Denham Springs for 30 years.
The king wore a custom tuxedo and his gold crown featured multicolored stones.
Maxwell has been a krewe member for seven years. She has served as float captain and parade captain for the Krewe of Fleur de Lis. She served as the secretary for the Krewe of Denham Springs board of directors for the past five years.
Maxwell has worked as a financial manager with the U.S. Department of Transportation for 28 years.
The queen wore a flowing royal purple, satin, one-shoulder gown. Her gold crown featured both purple and diamond stones.
Master of ceremonies Scott Innis introduced ball captains Scooter and Kay Keen, parade captains Raymond and Donna Nichols and Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry.
Float captains included:
- Billie and Joy McCartney: Krewe of Bras Moi Chue
- Jeremy and Brittany Powell: Krewe of Fleur de Lis
- Doug and Mary Poole: Krewe of Klassy Kajuns
- Sara Hazleton and Dallas Johnson: Krewe of Mystic Summer
- Billy and Becky Simms: Krewe of Neaux Klu
- Gretchen and Joe Galindo: Krewe of Roux
- Celeste Hathcox and Liz Fennell: Krewe of Who
- Jeffrey Wale and Rachel Merritt: Krewe of Hullabaloux
The 2022 king and queen bestowed upon the new royal couple their Krewe of Denham Springs silver medallion necklaces. The mayor read a proclamation and presented the couple with a key to the city.
The mayor and court, along with ball guests, honored the new king and queen with a celebratory toast. The royal couple danced and closed the ceremonies while leading everyone in the traditional Mardi Gras second-line.
The evening also featured dancing to music by Paper Chase and DJ Apparatus.
Parade rolls Saturday
The Krewe of Denham Springs will continue its Mardi Gras celebration with The Krewe of Denham Springs parade at 3 p.m. Saturday. This year’s grand marshal will be Mike O’Neal, of Big Mike's Restaurant in Denham Springs.
In conjunction with Colbi Rosenthal, of Cajun Country Jam, the Krewe of Denham Springs is hosting a concert at the Train Station in the heart of the Antique District. Whiskey Myers, Thomas Cain, Chase Tyler and his band and Nashville recording artist and Lafayette native Clay Cormier are slated to entertain at an after-party immediately following the parade until about 10 p.m. The stage will be set up in the parking lot of Denham Springs City Hall with food trucks and family entertainment surrounding. The after-party will resemble the parade with family-oriented fun and entertainment. The live music is free to the public, a "thank-you to the community" for supporting the krewe for more than 40 years.