‘Hyacinthians Sails the Ocean Blue’

GUMBO STAFF REPORT

Before Feb. 12, 1951, women had never paraded in Houma.

The Krewe of Hyacinthians changed that.

A small group of women, after paying their $30 annual dues, were the first to ride. That historical trip down Main Street included seven floats – all rented from the Greater Houma Carnival Club (known now as the Krewe of Terreanians) at the hair-raising price of $1,040 – seven torch bearers from New Orleans’ Zulu Carnival Club hired for $164 and a handful of females.

Today, the krewe has grown to 360 members, and the parade has grown to include 18 double-decker floats, all of which are owned by Hyacinthians.

Now in their 57th year, the ladies will launch Sunday, Jan. 27, beginning at 12:30 p.m., along the traditional Westside route. This year’s theme is “Hyacinthians Sails the Ocean Blue.”

Seven marching bands will also parade this year.

“This year’s theme was selected because we wanted something different,” said krewe president and ball captain Pat Adams. “We’ve had pirates and clowns, but nothing with water. We’ve got the majority of the globe covered with this water theme.”

The floats will each honor a well-known river, Adams said. From Cleopatra on the Nile to Elvis Presley’s fictional trip down the Mississippi into New Orleans, the trip down Houma’s Westside promises loads of fun, she said. Riders will throw footballs, stuffed animals, lighted items and some fiber optic items. There will also be specialty beads, cups, doubloons, children’s T-shirts and a doll bearing the club’s name and logo. “It should be a great street party,” she said.

Queen Hyacinth Laura Cancienne and King of the Krewe of Hyacinthians Darrin Guidry (publisher of the Gumbo Entertainment Guide) are the krewe’s reigning royalty.

The maids are Stephanie Hedge, Julie Braud, Debbie Chauvin, Susan Duplantis, Nicole Emerson, Joan Malbrough, Nathalie Page and Marsha Williams. This year’s dukes are: Brandon Archer, Michael Bergeron, Kerry Chauvin, Dr. David Melancon, Christopher Erny, Tommy Hebert, Tony Herques and Dr. Robert Gamble.

Pages are Sophia Stathes, Anna DeRoche, Andrew Sontheimer and John Trapp. Haden Saint and Emily Emerson are this year’s scroll bearers. Krewe vice president Julie Rhodes is parade captain.

Founded under the philosophy that any woman should be able to ride and/or reign, Hyacinthians strives to keep dues low and membership open, Adams said. Women pay about $350 annually, which helps pay truck drivers, fuel, bands and insurance on parade day.

There is a waiting list of women wishing to join, a fact Adams attributes to the family-friendly atmosphere on parade day.

“The challenge is to cater to the younger women who want to see change while still honoring Hyacinthians’ rich tradition,” Adams explained. “We’re not looking to become a super krewe, and we want to stay traditional … It’s a bit of a balancing act.”