LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / February 23, 2000

LULING – The Krewe of Lul’s King Kenneth and Queen Shirley Gaubert welcomed the new millennium at the fifth-annual carnival ball Saturday, greeting a throng of well-wishers and dancing the night away.

After a coronation dance to the sounds of “I Know I Can Fly,” by Laura Kelly, Ken and Shirley followed 1994 king Dudley Webre in the now-traditional second-line throughout Esperanza Banquet Hall and adjoining lounge.

Past royalty and grand marshals were also honored at the event under the theme, “Krewe of Lul Welcomes the Mi-LUL-lium 2000.”As explained by mistress-of-ceremonies Debra Dufresne-Vial, each year the 23-year-old Krewe of Lul captains select a local couple as king and queen to reign over the March 4 parade.

The parade starts near the Knights of Columbus Hall to Paul Maillard Road, River Road and Sugarhouse Road, starting at 1 p.m.The carnival ball also serves as a fund-raiser for the krewe, Vial continued, and raised $630 this year. In the years since the ball’s inception $2,750 hasbeen raised in this way. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Edward DufresneJr. added a personal contribution of $250 to round it off to $3,000.Krewe captains Wanda Candies, Jay Gomez, Dianna Lauve, Russell Lauve and Jerry Melancon were introduced to accept this year’s contribution. QueenShirley has also been a krewe captain for 12 years.

Candies also displayed her collection of past krewe scrolls, dating back to 1978’s royals, John and Jennie Busalacchi.

The 2000 grand marshal, Dorothy Roux St. Amant, was also introduced tothe ball attendees along with past grand marshals Lena Lacroix, Lydia Bergeron and Marie Babin.

A moment of silence was also held in memory of deceased kings and queens, and a host of krewe corporate contributors were thanked.

The 1999 king and queen, Kermit and Pepper Brown, toasted their successors, with the past king’s remarks, “May the sun shine on your parade!” After that point, it was dancing and merry-making past midnight as guests enjoyed the Esperanza Banquet Room facilities and menu of Cajun delights.

“It’s the social event of the year!” one partygoer exclaimed..

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