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The Krewe of Houmas rolls on Mardi Gras Day in Houma on the traditional westside route, beginning at 1 p.m.
The 328 members of the all-male krewe will fill 17 floats. The Krewe welcomes 11 bands to their parade: Mississippi Valley State University – Itta Bena, Mississippi; Vandebilt Catholic High School – Houma, LA; Westgate High – New Iberia, LA; St. Helena CCA – Greensburg, LA; South Terrebonne High School – Bourg, LA; St. James High School – Vacherie, LA; Northeast High School – Pride, LA; East Feliciana High School – Jackson, LA; West St. Mary High School – Baldwin, LA; Evergreen Junior High School – Houma, LA; and Nacheaux Cheese – Entertainment Float.
Reigning over this year’s parade is King Houmas LXXIV Joseph E Boudreaux II and Queen Houmas LXXIV Sydney Alyse Huber.
Their Royal Court includes:
Dukes: Keith Jude Falgout, Kyle Michael Markey, Todd Edmond Schexnayder, Ronnie Ray Buquet, Logan Banks Dowden, Paul Anthony Theriot, Jake Keith Riley, Brody Joseph Huber.
Maids: Lilly Grace Babin, Angelle Marie Buquet, Anna Margie Doskey, Courtney Erin Cobb, Grace Allen Fondren, Campbell Claire Babin, Madeline Marie Mae Hebert, Katherine Elizabeth Cazayoux.
Pages: Addison Grace Boudreaux, Alexandra Jane Brien, Sarah Elizabeth Haydel, Colton Taylor Falgout, Hayes Alexander Falgout, Matthew Joseph Kinnard
Squires: William Ted Haydel, James Robert Leaber
Parade Captain: Jackie Clement
Ball Captain: Colin Seibert
Tableau Captain: Rob Hamilton
Krewe History:
When World War II ended, a group of local businessmen wanted to bring a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras celebration to the people of Houma. So, in 1946 the Houma-Terrebonne Carnival Club, or “Krewe of Houmas”, was chartered. The original meeting took place at Saadi’s Haberdashery on Main Street in downtown Houma. Unlike many of the New Orleans Mardi Gras organizations whose names were derived from mythology, the Krewe of Houmas decided to honor the first settlers for whom our town is named after: the Houmas Indians.
King Houmas I was John Foolkes and Queen Houmas I was Gloria Babin. And unlike today’s Kings that are selected by the Krewe members, King Foolkes was elected from a ballot of candidates placed in the Houma Daily Courier. The first Royal Court did not have the service of any Dukes, only 20 maids. Even in the first year, Houmas paraded down the streets of Houma on Mardi Gras Day.
For years, the Krewe rented floats (and even riding costumes) from clubs in New Orleans. To get to Houma, the floats were put on barges at sent down the Intracoastal Canal. In those days, the route started in East Houma and crossed into West Houma over the Intracoastal Waterway over the Main Street Bridge. Revelers could watch the parade on either side of town or take in a special view from their boats sitting in the Intracoastal.
Eventually, the Krewe built their own floats and constructed a den on the Houma Airbase, near the beginning of the original parade route. With the completion of the new twin spans near the hospital, the parade route changed and Houmas changed along with it. The Krewe purchased land off of Hwy. 311 and built a new 35,000 SF facility to house its floats and a conference room. The building was designed to hold the current fleet and also give the club room to expand.
The Krewe of Houmas takes pride in being an organization that caters not only to its members, but also their families. Their Presentation Dance and Tableau prominently features the daughters of Krewe Members. The Annual Open House allows the families to come see the newly painted floats and experience fun for all.
But the most important aspect of Houmas’ family-rich history can be found on the floats every Fat Tuesday! Almost every float in the parade features either a father riding with his son or a pair of brothers riding next to one another.
The Krewe of Houmas is proud of their tradition and history and looks forward to celebrating Mardi Gras Day each year with the special people of Terrebonne Parish!
