Cajuns Celebrate Mardi Gras
February 11, 2016Coast Guard video shows rescue
February 11, 2016
It’s a day most of TARC’s nearly 300 clients look forward to all year. The beads, beautiful costumes and the dozens upon dozens that show up to show their support and pass a good time stirs excitement and when purple, green and gold everything takes over the 20-acre property in east Houma, it’s clear Mardi Gras is here and the annual parade is on the way
On Thursday, the usual activity inside the more than 10 enterprises on the property ceased for a few hours as the Terrebonne Arc program hosted its annual holiday celebrations, one of the biggest hits for those that rely on the program for work and social activities.
The day, exclusively for TARC clients and staff, kicked off in style for the king and queen, who were picked up from their homes in a limousine and taken to TARC where the royalty was crowned, toasted and treated to a brunch with their 10 invited guests and the staff helping them get parade-ready.
The process of picking who earns these coveted titles each year is big business around the TARC campus, Erica Null Pellegrin, director of marketing and enterprises, said of the honor. Anyone wishing to vie for the titles may campaign and the program’s clients vote on their preferred choices.
“They were super excited,” Null Pellegrin said of this year’s selected duo, King Matthew Duchaine and Queen Michelle Chancey. “What we do is we announce them on our loud speaker so everyone across campus gets to hear and then they start all the excitement and cheering. Everyone is just always so happy to cheer on whoever wins king and queen.”
Everyone else in attendance was treated to a lunch provided by TARC the Marine Corps League and Auxiliary while Chancey and Duchaine changed into their finest attire for pre-parade photo opportunities with family and guests. Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove also offered a proclamation to the king and queen before the duo nestled into their convertible for their celebratory ride.
The parade has been an annual treat since the early 1980s and one that includes a host of community involvement from the groups that have become staples of any local parade like the Shriners, dune buggy drivers and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Most recently, TARC has also established a small Krewe of TARC to allow more clients to participate.
“Five individuals are chosen at random to participate in the parade as well,” Null Pellegrin explained. “It allows for more people to fulfill their dream of being in a parade. We have staff that help them with their throws and some of the beads that have been donated to TARC [through the Buy-U
Bead enterprise go straight to these clients so that they can have the experience of a lifetime.”
Following the parade, clients enjoyed king cake and danced the afternoon away to cap off an always-excited celebration and one Null Pellegrin said has become a great mix of community support for the program.
“It’s always of one of my favorite days,” she said. “The entire TARC campus gets overjoyed with the support, with our community and with our staff and our clients. We have such a great community on campus and you just feel that spirit all daylong.”
Parade members pass a good time during the TARC parade, which is always an anticipated event in the area. More than 300 TARC clients took part in the event.
