Weekend Roundup: February 24-26 2023
February 22, 2023
Register for free women’s Cardiac Social, Heels for Hearts
February 22, 2023
The Ancient and Mystic Krewe of Tootsie Roll, founded in 2019, crowned the H.L. Bourgeois High School Marching Sensation from the Braves Reservation and the Royals Colorgaurd as their 2023 Marching Band Grand Champion at the conclusion of the 2023 Mardi Gras season in Houma. The Marching Sensation competed in four parades – the Krewe of Hercules, The Krewe of Hyacinthians, The Krewe of Aphrodite, and the Krewe of Terreaneans. After wrapping up their Mardi Gras season in Houma, the Marching Sensation traveled to Orlando, Florida to participate in parades at Universal Studios Amusement Park. The Marching Sensation is under the direction of Tyler Wiggins, Director of Bands and Michael Francis, Assistant Director of Bands. The Marching Sensation is under the field direction of Drum Majors Isabella Chauvin, Sophia Naquin, and Caleb Rowland. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Marching Sensation competed in many competitions including the Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands where they scored Superior ratings in Color Gaurd, Percussion, Drum Major, and Overall Band. They also placed 9th overall in a field of 36 of Louisiana’s most talented marching units. The band is also the current Reserve Grand Champions of the Toyota Gulf Coast Marching Band Competition held in Lake Charles, LA, and the Fete` de Musique Marching Band Competition held at Central LaFourche High School.
In addition to Best Band and Grand Champion Awards, the Krewe of Tootsie Roll also asks the public for help in awarding the People’s Choice Award. Voting for the People’s Choice went live on Facebook just before the start of the Krewe of Hercules Parade and concluded at 3:00p.m. on Mardi Gras Day. With 408 votes, the Patriot Brigade of Ellender Memorial High School took him their 3rd People’s Choice award in 3 years!
The Ancient and Mystic Krewe of Tootsie Roll also awarded the following “Best Band” awards at each parade:
Krewe of Hercules: H.L. Bourgeois High School’s Marching Sensation from the Braves Reservation
Krewe of Hyacinthians: H.L. Bourgeois High School’s Marching Sensation from the Braves Reservation
Krewe of Cleopatra: Terrebonne High School’s Crimson Pride
Krewe of Houmas: Nicholls State University’s Pride of Nicholls Marching BandThe Krewe is also excited to announce the Krewe of Houmas as the two-time reigning and defending “Best Parade of Bands” award winner. The Krewe of Houmas featured 10 bands in their 2023 parade. Bands included the Langston University Band from Langston, Oklahoma; Nicholls State University Band from Thibodaux, LA; The Tiger Rag Tag LSU Alumni Band from Baton Rouge, LA; Vandebilt Catholic High School from Houma, LA; Franklin High School from Franklin, LA; South Terrebonne High School from Bourg, LA; West St. Mary High School from West St. Mary, LA; St. Helena College and Career Academy from St. Helena, LA; Ferriday High School from Ferriday, LA: Istrouma Magnet High School from Baton Rouge, LA; Evergreen Jr. High School from Houma, LA; and LaMarque High School from LaMarque, Texas.
The Ancient and Mystic Krewe of Tootsie Roll is pleased to continue to support the arts in our Mardi Gras Parades. We exist only to highlight the Marching Bands that expend countless hours rehearsing to entertain year- round. The Krewe intends to continue to create a positive buzz around these talented students and the parading krewes that bring them to our city year after year. Each band is invited to perform a 45-second set on our competition grounds near French Quarter Drive. Competing bands are judged on quality of marching, quality of music, participation, creativity of show, and crowd reaction.
Live streams of performances, pictures, and contest information can be found on Facebook.
