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| Krewe History |
| Members of established area Krewes gave invaluable suggestions and helpful hints to the Minden Ambassadors. The Minden Committee began their search for a name and after some discussion, it was decided they would call themselves the Krewe des Ambassadeurs as they reflected on their Chamber Ambassador service to the community. The Ambassadeurs Royal Line-up included: Captain King and Queen Duke and Duchess of Prosperity Duke and Duchess of Hospitality Under the direction of their first Captain, Terry Gardner, the Krewe hosted the first Bal’ at Bayou Inn in Minden with a theme of Mardi Gras on the Bayou. They built their first float, placing first in the Springhill Mardi Gras Parade. The newly formed Krewe worked hard, had fun and brought the celebration of Mardi Gras in Minden to a new level. During the second year of the Krewe, they hosted their first annual Cochon de Lait at Lake Bistineau, hosted their first Coronation Gala at Pinehills Country Club in Minden and added a Prince and Princess to their royalty. Minden Medical Center was named the title Sponsor. They spent many hours building a 40' X 12' float, moved to a permanent Krewe Den at the Northwest Commerce Center, and hosted the second Grand Bal’ at LA Downs. The Krewe participated in four area parades, Minden, Springhill, Gemini and Highland. The first Queens Tea was hosted by Queen I, Johnnye Kennon. Their float won first place in the Minden Main Street Parade. The third season kicked off with the second Cochon de Lait, new designs for the float and a additional set of Royals, the Duke and Duchess of Philanthropy. Under the direction of their new Captain, Mahala Hutto, the Krewe had a fun filled third season. Lake Bistineau State Park was again the site of the annual Cochon de Lait. The Coronation Gala was held at Pinehills Country Club and Grand Bal’ III took place at Stars in Bossier City. They again won first place for their float in the Minden Main Street Parade. Season four began with the Krewe reducing Royalty back to the original number. With the theme of “Hollywood Legends”, the Krewe had a great year. All events were bigger and better than ever. The third annual Cochon de Lait was hosted at Shady Point on Lake Bistineau. Then Krewe members outdid themselves at The Captain’s Party, a great Halloween Costume Party. The Grand Bal’ IV, held at the Isle of Capri Ballroom, was a magical evening that no one wanted to end. They finished the fourth season participating in three parades that had their largest attendance to date, Minden, Gemini and Highland. The fifth season begun with a new Captain at the helm, Dr. Mervin Ardoin. A Gumbo Fundraiser was the first event of the season. The Krewe adopted the United Christian Home as their charity. This years Cochon de Lait was May 21st at Lake Bistineau and was another sucess. The Coronation was September 17th at Pine Hills Country Club in Minden, and the Grand Bal' V was at the Isle of Capri Casino Ballroom February 17th 2006. We are currently in our sixth season with a new Captain, Vickie Cullen. The Krewe has purchased property (address) and plans to build a new den in the near future. Our Cochon de Lait was May 23, 2006 at Lake Bistineau. About 150 to 160 people attended. The theme for this year was announced, The Carnival of Venice. Our Coronation is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Pine Hills Country Club. The Grand Bal' is scheduled for January 26, 2007 at the Isle of Capri Casino. |
| As Captain of the Krewe for 2007/2008 it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website. We are now celebrating our eighth year as a krewe and like our first year we continue to grow. The Mardi Gras Season of 2008/2009 is going to be exciting and fun filled. |
| If you are not already a member of our Krewe or one of the other local Krewes, I invite you to browse our website. Membership enrollment is open to the public and we are always accepting membership applications. We are a fun-loving group and like meeting and making new friends. Feel free to contact me with any questions. We would love to have you join us. I am looking forward to this year and thank you for this opportunity to serve as your Captain. "Let the good times roll" |
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| 2008 – 2009 Board of Directors Captain VII King VII Queen VII Duke of Hospitality Duchess of Hospitality Duke of Prosperity Duchess of Prosperity Prince Princess |
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| Ralph W. Greer |
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| Ralph Greer Eddie O’Neal Debra Smith Lane Davidson Dianna Smith Josh Hamilton Caye Bryce Derrick Greene Whittney Haynes |
| Executive Committee Captain – Beverly Brown Treasurer – Tim Borst Secretary – Debra Smith Former Royalty – Trish Davidson Former Royalty – Terry Gardner Ex-Officio – Immediate Past Captain – Ralph Greer |
| Board Members Membership – Mahala Hutto Float – Josh Hamilton Bal – Caye Bryce Publicity – Liz Morgan Fundraising – Angel Alexander Members at Large Debbie Gardner Sherb Sentell Allen Smith Susan Bowman |
| The celebration of Mardi Gras in Minden first began in 1900 and continued into the 1920's. Then in 1998 the Minden Main Street Program, under the direction of Judy Talley, put on their first Mardi Gras Parade. This family oriented parade has grown from a small children’s event to a parade that includes 45 entries with floats from all over the Arklatex. Parade spectators average around 5,000 adults and children for this fun family evening. In 2001, Mardi Gras in Minden went to the next level............... It was September 2001 and another monthly meeting of the Minden-South Webster Chamber Ambassador Committee. Someone threw out the idea of having a Mardi Gras party the first of the year and the energy flowed from there. Committee members took the idea and explored the possibilities. |