Throw Me Something, Little Mister!

Richard Simons
January 26, 2018
Lafourche Booking Log – Jan. 29
January 30, 2018
Richard Simons
January 26, 2018
Lafourche Booking Log – Jan. 29
January 30, 2018

DUE TO THE THREAT OF RAIN, THE CHILDREN’S MINI PARADE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2018. 

 


This Saturday morning, Houma’s parade enthusiasts can get a jumpstart on Mardi Gras festivities by attending a parade unlike any other in the area. Instead of krewes throwing beads from double-decker floats along the usual routes, this parade will feature the kids of Houma, who will be throwing from wagons and strollers in the Cannata’s parking lot on West Park Avenue. Put on by the Krewe of Aphrodite, the Children’s Mini Parade is sure to be entertaining not only for the youth participating, but also the adults that attend this fantastic event that has been around for over twenty years. 

“They [the community] seem to enjoy it; they really do,” says fourth year Aphrodite President, Dena Barrios, “We have always had a pretty good turnout.”

Registration for the parade starts at 10 that morning and it kicks off an hour later. Participants can receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for Best Individual Costume, Best Group Costumes, and Best Float. M&M’s, dogs, and little monsters themed costumes have been some of the standouts in previous years.

Kids in the parade will also imitate the adult krewes by bringing and throwing their own beads, candy, and trinkets to the crowd. Krewe of Aphrodite members and members from various other krewes in the area will join them as well, to help with the entertainment.

The event, for many years being sponsored by Kmart and in more recent years being sponsored by Rouses, welcomes its first-year-host, Cannata’s. In addition to the space in their parking lot, they will provide king cakes for the children to decorate as well as selling a variety of food and drink to attendees.

One uplifting moment of this parade is the presentation of the royalty, which are special needs children in the area nominated by members of Aphrodite. This year, the two Kings are 7-year-old Owen Theriot, and 14-year-old Trey Matherne, and the Queen is 3-year-old Avery McElroy.

“My favorite part is seeing the excitement from special needs kids when they are put into the dune buggies as the royalty. I love watching their faces light up,” says Dena, “No matter what ages they are, they get excited over something like that.”

The parade asks for children 12-years-old and under, but Dena says they make sure not to turn away any adolescent that might want to attend. They have had participants that ranged from toddlers to teenagers.


“The more the merrier,” she says, “We chose to put on this event to give back to the community and the children.”  

Safety is a priority at the parade as well, so the krewe asks that no one bring any type of motorized float. Costumes, food, throws, royalty, and safety make this event valued by the kids participating, their family members, and any other parade goers. 

CHILDREN’S PARADE